A GIS-BASED ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS MODELING FOR AGRICULTURAL-LAND SUITABILITY IN AWKA SOUTH LGA
Abstract
This study aimed at performing a GIS-Based Analytical Hierarchy Process Modeling for agricultural land suitability in Awka South L.G.A. Its objectives of the study are to: establish the factors for agricultural land suitability in Awka South L.G.A; reclassify and standardize the factors for agricultural suitability; calculate the weights and consistency of the classified factors; and determine the most suitable areas for agriculture practices in the Awka South L.G.A. The methodological approach employed the assessment of factors in modelling and mapping agricultural suitability in Awka South L.G.A. This assessment was based on a wide range of criteria, including slope, elevation, soil, temperature, precipitation, drainage network, and landcover/landuse. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to compare and determine the relative importance of these criteria through matrix comparisons. Subsequently, these criteria were assigned relative weights. To generate the final suitability map, a Weighted Overlay technique was applied, integrating the various suitability criteria maps. The findings revealed three distinct suitability zones for the area under study: high suitability, moderate suitability, and low suitability. High suitability encompassed an area of 33.324 km2, constituting 20.23% of the total coverage. The moderate suitability zone extended over 89.294 km2, representing a substantial 54.23% coverage. The low suitability zone covered 42.032 km2, accounting for 25.52% of the whole area. These delineations provide a comprehensive understanding of the distribution and extent of suitability within the study area. It was recommended that priority should be given to the development and intensification of agricultural activities in areas identified as High suitability zones. This zone represents prime agricultural land, and efforts should be directed towards maximizing productivity while implementing sustainable farming practices
