Integration of geospatial technologies with multi-criteria decision analysis for aquaculture land suitability evaluation: The case of Fincha'a River Sub-basin, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Assessment of physical land suitability for aquaculture is a prerequisite for promoting fish farming and enhancing food security as increase in global population and fish demand is tremendously rising. In addition, our country is also riches in enough water resources and conducive environments. Despite these facts, the vast majority of the local communities in Ethiopia are not benefited from aquaculture due to limited information and infrastructures. This study intended to assess land suitability for aquaculture using geospatial techniques in Fincha'a river sub basin, western Ethiopia. In the present study, slope, river, road, market, land use land cover (LULC), soil types, land surface temperature (LST), rainfall, lakes and reservoirs were performed using multi criteria Evaluation (MCE) based Pairwise Comparison Matrix to evaluate land suitability for aquaculture. The results revealed that, about 51.4km 2 is highly suitable, while 843.5km 2 categorized under moderately suitable. About 1483.5km 2 were categorized under marginally suitable, while 56.5km 2 is not suitable for aquaculture. Based on the result, we recommend that, community awareness is required to utilize maximum potential of aquaculture farming, that may contribute towards poverty eradication and food security in Ethiopia. • Warm area and wetland areas were highly suitable for fish farming. • Analytical hierarchy process is a powerful method to generate land suitability for aquaculture. • Land suitability assessment can indicate the potential of particular land for different purposes. • Utilizing maximum potential of aquaculture farming, that may contribute towards poverty eradication and food security in Ethiopia is forwarded.