Field based index of land suitability (ILS): a new approach for rainfed paddy crop production in groundwater scarce region

Abstract

The study’s goal is to use multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), spatial logistic regression (SLR), and geographical information system (GIS) to determine paddy crop suitability evaluation (CSE). The research was carried out in the Bankura district, known for its scarcity of water and production in India. A drought vulnerability assessment (DVA) is also analyzed through the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to demarcate the scare rain-fed area and a Para-wise comparison matrix (PCM) and hydrological, agricultural, meteorological, and socio-economic drought criteria. The DVA of the study area is effectively classified as extreme (8.87%), severe (11.59%), moderate (15.49%), mild (29.89%), and normal (34.16%) drought vulnerability zones. However, the paddy CSE revealed that 37%, 25%, and 21% of the total rice crop currently grown was in, i.e. highly (S1), moderately (S2), and marginally suitable (S3) respectively. The DVA and paddy CSE maps were validated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve using field verification.