LAND SUITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR MAJOR FOOD CROPS IN EAST GOJJAM,  0 '  NORTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA: APPLICATION OF GIS AND MULTI­  CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS

DEMISSIE, BIMREW KEBEDE

dc.contributor.author	DEMISSIE, BIMREW KEBEDE
dc.date.accessioned	2017-07-19T03:23:18Z
dc.date.available	2017-07-19T03:23:18Z
dc.date.issued	2017-07-19
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/7399
dc.description.abstract	Barley, Maize, Teff, and Wheat are the most common food crops cultivated in East Gojjam. However, the existing production supply could not satisfy demands for these food crops in the country. As a result, effective method of assessing environmental suitability analysis to increase the production of these crops is needed A multi-factor spatial analysis can effectively assess the environmental suitability of an area for Barley, Maize, Te.ff, and Wheat growing. However, there is no comprehensive spatial MCDA of physical land suitability study in East Gojjam, yet. In an attempt to underscore its significance, this study conducted GIS and MCDM based physical land suitability analysis for Barley, Maize, Te.ff, and Wheat growing in East Gojjam. This approach uses the combination of traditional MCDM and GIS technology. It involves identifying suitability factors, hierarchical organization, standardization, rating and ranking, and weighing the factors and finally implementing the suitability model. The main evaluation criteria used are soil, climate, and topography. They were collected from different government agencies and online sources. Factor ratings were conducted through pairwise comparison of variables using experts from Amhara region agriculture research institute. Consistency ratio calculation was performed to insure the consistency of judgments on the pair wise rating of factors by experts using lamda max method. The weights of factors were estimated by computing Eigen values Jlrld Eigen vectors of experts' pairwise ratings of criteria using IDRIS and FLWOA ~ols. Different suitability maps were prepared by combining MCDA and GIS. IDRIS and FLOWA, ArcGIS 9.3 extension tool, were used in this regard as they have the capacity to integrate these modules. Four suitability scenarios were developed using different standardization and combination methods. The best scenario was selected through weight summation and electre methods using DEFINITE software. By using the best suitability scenario method, the finally physical land suitability analyses were conducted for all LUTs selected. The results show that about 76%, 82%, 83%, and 66% of the land in study area is suitable for Barely, Maize, Te.ff, and Wheat growing, respectively. The results of the analyses disclosed that large area of land on the highland plateaus and plains of East Go.if am are suitable for crop cultivation. On the other hand, areas surrounding Mt. Choke and along the river Abay gorge are not suitable for Barley, Te.ff, and Wheat growing. From the results it is quite evident that GIS combined with MCDA are powerful tools for land use planning and decision making. The result of the research can be used for land use planning of the study Key words: Land Suitability, AHP, MCDM, GIS, Crops	en_US
dc.subject	GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES	en_US
dc.title	LAND SUITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR MAJOR FOOD CROPS IN EAST GOJJAM, 0 ' NORTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA: APPLICATION OF GIS AND MULTI CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS	en_US
dc.type	Thesis	en_US