Identification of Suitable Land for Green Gram Production Using GIS Based Analytical Hierarchy Process in Kitui County, Kenya

Jane W Mugo,David K Musembi,Patrick C Kariuki

doi:10.4172/2469-4134.1000170

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a suitability model for Green gram production in Kitui County using GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation. Soil and topography were chosen as the main criteria for analysis and 6 sub criteria (soil texture, depth, pH, cation exchange capacity drainage and slope). The criteria were selected based on crop experts’ knowledge and available Green gram requirements literature. The criteria maps were reclassified into 4 suitability levels Highly (S1), Moderately (S2), Marginally (S3) and not suitable (N) based on FAO guidelines. The Analytical Hierarchy Process decision making tool was used to determine the perceived weights or influence that each criteria carries. The weights were then used as inputs in the weighted overlay and a suitability map generated. Based on the findings all land is suitable for Green gram production with varying degrees of suitability where 32.7%, 23.7% and 43.6% as highly, moderately and marginally suitable respectively. Major limitations that prevent land from being highly suitable include acidity, alkalinity and poor drainage in soils and in some cases steep slopes.

Highlights

Background of the studyAgriculture plays an important role in Kitui County in terms of food provision, employment creation and as a source of income for domestic needs
Soils have different physical and chemical properties that affect the productivity of Green gram
Spatial variation of soil texture: The reclassified texture map shows that on the basis of texture, the highest percentage (79.5%) of the County is moderately suitable for Green gram production (Table 8 and Figure 2) with 13.4% and 7.1% of the County being highly and marginally suitable, respectively. the marginal suitability is due to very high clay content

Summary

Introduction

Agriculture plays an important role in Kitui County in terms of food provision, employment creation and as a source of income for domestic needs. As the population grows so will the demand for additional food in the county [1]. Green gram (Vigna radiata L.) is one of the potential food/cash crops that have been observed to perform well in the arid regions of Kenya and most parts of Kitui County are favorable for growing them [3]. [4] indicated that, in order to increase the production of food and enhance food security, crops have to be grown in areas where they are best suited, making it important to evaluate the production potential of land in any agricultural undertaking Ref. [4] indicated that, in order to increase the production of food and enhance food security, crops have to be grown in areas where they are best suited, making it important to evaluate the production potential of land in any agricultural undertaking

Objectives

Methods

Results