Cassava (Manihot esculenta) and cocoa (Theobroma cacao) are vital crops for food security, livelihoods, and economic growth in tropical regions, particularly in Africa. Cassava, a resilient staple crop, supports over 300 million people, while cocoa drives export earnings and rural employment. Nigeria is a leading producer of both crops, with Ondo State playing a key role in cocoa cultivation. However, their productivity depends on soil properties, necessitating precise land suitability assessments. Traditional soil analysis methods are often inefficient, prompting the adoption of proximal remote sensing technologies for real-time, high-resolution soil data collection. This study evaluates soil suitability for cassava and cocoa in North Ondo, Nigeria, integrating geospatial analysis and proximal sensing tools. Field surveys identified five major soil types—Sandy Clay Loam (SCL), Clay (CL), Sandy Clay (SC), Clay Loam (C), and Sandy Loam (SL)—with SCL being the most favourable for both crops due to optimal drainage and moisture retention. Clay supports cassava but hinders cocoa growth, while sandy soils require enhanced nutrient management. The findings emphasize the importance of soil-specific agricultural planning to maximize yields and sustainability. Proximal sensing proves effective in mapping soil-crop relationships, offering a scalable approach for precision agriculture. These insights can guide farmers and policymakers in optimizing land use, improving crop productivity, and ensuring long-term food and economic security in similar agroecological zones.

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Soil Suitability and Mapping of Cocoa and Cassava in North Ondo Using Proximal Remote Sensing Technologies

  • Matthew Adepoju,
  • Oluseun Adeluyi,
  • Salami Victor,
  • Imhanfidon Justin,
  • Alao Feyishayo

摘要

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) and cocoa (Theobroma cacao) are vital crops for food security, livelihoods, and economic growth in tropical regions, particularly in Africa. Cassava, a resilient staple crop, supports over 300 million people, while cocoa drives export earnings and rural employment. Nigeria is a leading producer of both crops, with Ondo State playing a key role in cocoa cultivation. However, their productivity depends on soil properties, necessitating precise land suitability assessments. Traditional soil analysis methods are often inefficient, prompting the adoption of proximal remote sensing technologies for real-time, high-resolution soil data collection. This study evaluates soil suitability for cassava and cocoa in North Ondo, Nigeria, integrating geospatial analysis and proximal sensing tools. Field surveys identified five major soil types—Sandy Clay Loam (SCL), Clay (CL), Sandy Clay (SC), Clay Loam (C), and Sandy Loam (SL)—with SCL being the most favourable for both crops due to optimal drainage and moisture retention. Clay supports cassava but hinders cocoa growth, while sandy soils require enhanced nutrient management. The findings emphasize the importance of soil-specific agricultural planning to maximize yields and sustainability. Proximal sensing proves effective in mapping soil-crop relationships, offering a scalable approach for precision agriculture. These insights can guide farmers and policymakers in optimizing land use, improving crop productivity, and ensuring long-term food and economic security in similar agroecological zones.