Chapter 9 - Remote sensing and geographic information system–based land suitability analysis for precision agriculture: a case of paddy cultivation in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh (India)

Abstract

Land suitability analysis (LSA) is a prerequisite for precision agriculture and improved productivity. Therefore, an attempt has been made in this study to derive LSA for paddy cultivation in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India, by integrating remote sensing, geographic information system, and analytical hierarchy process. Based on literature survey and expert opinion, 16 parameters (topographic, climatic, hydrologic, soil, and land use/land cover) were considered to accomplish the work. We found rainfall (19.13%), slope (14.81%), and elevation (13.58%) as the most influential factors in LSA for paddy cultivation in the study area. The results of map-removal and single-parameter sensitivity analysis also show a highest mean variation index values for rainfall, elevation, and slope layers. The results show an area of 164.92km2 (9.79%) as highly suitable, 619.07km2 (36.74%) as moderately suitable, 454.98km2 (27%) as marginally suitable, and 445.95km2 (26.47%) as not suitable for paddy cultivation. The highly suitable areas are mostly located in the southwestern and southeastern parts (Bilat, Sille-Oyan, Pasighat, Ruksin, and Mebo circles) of the district. The predicted suitable areas could be effectively used by the farmers to increase paddy productivity and income. Moreover, rice being the staple food of the people, an increased productivity of paddy would ensure sustainable livelihood and food security in the long run.