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Abstract
<p>Agricultural production has contributed over time to food security and rural economic development in developing countries particularly supporting the countryside. Evidence of crop yield decline exist in the Lower River Benue Basin. This was a crop suitability mapping for rice, cassava, and yam to guide policy makers in strategic planning for sustainable agricultural development. Data was collected on various themes including climate, drainage, soil, satellite imagery, and maps. Remote Sensing was used to analyse satellite imagery to produce a digital elevation model, land use and land cover map, and normalised difference vegetation index map. GIS was used to produce thematic maps, weighted percentages of attribute data, and to produce crop suitability maps through weighted overlay. Soils in the study area require fertility enhancement with inorganic fertilisers for better crop yield. Soils in the Lower River Benue Basin are suitable for yam, cassava, and rice cultivation on maps of suitable areas. Some areas were found to be highly suitable for the cultivation of rice (34.22%), cassava (17.08%) and yam (16.08%). Some other areas were found to be moderately suitable for the cultivation of cassava (48.18%), rice (45.46%), and yam (48.85%). Areas with low suitability were 14.99% (rice), 33.68% (cassava), and 29.57% (yam). This study has demonstrated the importance of crop suitability mapping and recommends that farmers’ cooperative societies and policy makers utilise the information presented to improve decision making methods and policies for agricultural development.</p>
Highlights
Nigerian cassava production is by far the largest in the world, and Benue and Kogi state in the North Central zone are the largest producers of cassava (IITA, 2004)
The use of remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques allowed for the inclusion of various attributes specific to the study area which enhanced the accuracy and presentation of suitability maps for rice, cassava, and yam
These maps have revealed most suitable areas where cultivation of these crops should be focused. These results are in line with the assertion by Lingjun et al (2008) that GIS and remote sensing has allowed for a transition from qualitative to quantitative assessment of land suitability based on relevant natural, economic, social and technical data
Summary
Nigerian cassava production is by far the largest in the world, and Benue and Kogi state in the North Central zone are the largest producers of cassava (IITA, 2004). Nigeria accounts for 20% of world produce, 34% of Africa’s produce, and 46% of West Africa’s produce (FAO, 2016). Nigeria accounts for 71% (over 37 million tons) of the 94% of world production of yams which comes from West Africa (IITA, 2009). Nigeria is Africa’s largest consumer of rice. Rice production in Nigeria is mainly for market value as rice generates more income than most agricultural produce. Nigeria is one of the leading importers of rice in the world. Most agricultural produce in Nigeria including cassava, yam and rice is by small-scale farmers (FAO, 2016)
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