Crop-Suitability Analysis Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Geospatial Techniques for Cereal Production in North India

Shaloo, Rishi Pal Singh, Himani Bisht, Rajni Jain, Truptimayee Suna, Ram Swaroop Bana, Samarth Godara, Yashbir Singh Shivay, Nirupma Singh, Jatin Bedi, Shbana Begam, Manisha Tamta and Shweta Gautam
Additional contact information
Shaloo: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
Rishi Pal Singh: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar 125001, India
Himani Bisht: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
Rajni Jain: ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi 110012, India
Truptimayee Suna: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
Ram Swaroop Bana: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
Samarth Godara: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
Yashbir Singh Shivay: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
Nirupma Singh: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
Jatin Bedi: Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala 147004, India
Shbana Begam: ICAR-National Institute of Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi 110012, India
Manisha Tamta: ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna 800014, India
Shweta Gautam: School of Forestry and Environment Science, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Allahabad 211003, India

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-21

Abstract: Identification of cropland suitability is obligatory to adapting to the increased food needs driven by population expansion, environmental contamination, and climate change. Given this, the present study was conducted to assess cereal crops’ suitability in India’s Haryana state by integrating Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and geographic information system (GIS) technique. Multiple factors were considered for this study, such as rainfall, temperature, soil texture, drainage density, pH, organic carbon, electrical conductivity, and slope. The AHP technique was utilized to decide the weights of each individual parameter using experts’ opinions. The crop-suitability model was developed using the model builder module in ArcGIS 10.8, and each input parameter was reclassified as per the optimum crop-growth requirement and overlaid utilizing the reclassify tool and weighted overlay analysis. The crop suitability classes were estimated as highly suitable, S1 (6%); moderately suitable, S2 (71%); and marginally suitable, S3 (23%) for the calculated arable land for the wheat crop. Similarly, the crop suitability class of rice S2 (28%); S3 (72%), for sorghum S1 (28%); S2 (71%); S3 (1%), for maize S2 (85%); S3 (15%) and for pearl millet S1 (60%); S2 (40%) were also estimated. The study has observed that, as per the soil physico-chemical characteristics and climate, the area is moderately fertile. Therefore, agricultural production can be improved by cultivating the crop in highly and moderately suitable zones. Diversification of marginally suitable regions for crops other than that for which it is not suitable can be taken up, which will also ensure the income security of marginal farmers.

Keywords: crop suitability; Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP); geographic information system (GIS); rice; sorghum; maize; pearl millet (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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