Multi-criteria Land Suitability Analysis for Agriculture in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal Using AHP and GIS Techniques
摘要
Land suitability analysis (LSA) is critical for sustainable agricultural development, particularly in regions facing environmental challenges and resource limitations. This study evaluates the agricultural land suitability in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, employing a multi-criteria approach integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. The analysis considered various parameters such as slope, elevation, land use/land cover (LULC), soil characteristics, soil moisture, distance from drainage, land surface temperature, geology, aspect, and proximity to communication networks. The study area, characterized by diverse topography and climatic conditions, requires precise identification of suitable lands to optimize agricultural productivity. By generating and overlaying thematic maps, the study identified areas of high, moderate, low, and permanently unsuitable land for agriculture. The findings revealed that 357.95 sq. km (11.40%) of the district is highly suitable for agriculture, primarily located in regions with gentle slopes, low elevation, high soil moisture, and moderate land surface temperatures. Moderately suitable areas cover 1859.90 sq. km (59.26%), while 905.07 sq. km (28.83%) are deemed not suitable due to unfavourable conditions such as high slopes and poor soil quality. A small portion, 15.59 sq. km (0.49%), is permanently unsuitable for agricultural use. This comprehensive LSA provides valuable insights for land use planning and agricultural development in Jalpaiguri. By highlighting suitable areas for cultivation, the study supports sustainable agricultural practices and contributes to the region's food security and economic growth. The integration of AHP and GIS methodologies offers a robust framework for addressing land management challenges and optimizing land resource utilization.