Multicriteria land suitability assessment for cassava and bean production using integration of GIS and AHP

Abstract

Land valuation is essential for developing land use planning and achieving efficient land use, food security, and poverty reduction. This study aimed to assess land suitability for cassava and bean production using the multicriteria decision analysis AHP technique and GIS. Land suitability analysis considers factors affecting crop growth and development, particularly in producing beans and cassava. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) model was used to determine the importance of main and sub-criteria parameters. ArcGIS software was used to create crop suitability distribution maps for bean and cassava production. Each parameter was subjected to pair-wise comparison by employing the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The study found that the southern region displayed a vastly suitable level of 38% and 46% for beans and cassava, respectively. Farmers can use the comprehensive data to decide whether to plant beans and cassava on their lands, increasing revenue while preserving soil quality management. The GIS-AHP integration approach was suggested to determine optimal decisions based on chosen criteria.