Geographical Information System-Based Land Suitability Assessment for Sunflower (Helianthus Annus) Production in Morogoro District, Tanzania
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Date
2024-01
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
In Tanzania, the soil information available is inadequate and very specific in regions considered as highly
potential areas and relies on a few collected scattered information over a big area which is not enough
for agricultural land use planning locally. This study aimed to assess the appropriateness of land in Tungi
Farm based in Morogoro District, Tanzania for sunflower production using a Geographic Information
System (GIS). To determine appropriate areas for sunflower production, three criteria: soil properties
(pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, available phosphorus, potassium, and soil
texture), topography (slope and altitude), and climate (temperature and rainfall) were selected from the
literature and employed in suitability analysis. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method of the
Multi-Criteria Evaluation was used to assign a weight to each criterion as per Saaty’s Table. Cumulative
weights for each criterion were used in coming up with output maps using ArcGIS 10.8. Each criterion
was reclassified and assigned a weighted value. Organic carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity,
and potassium were found to be adequate. Topography and climate were suitable for the sunflower
production. The results from land suitability gave S1 (vastly suitable), S2 (relatively suitable), and S3
(minimally suitable) of about 51% (1022 ha), 34% (671 ha), and 15% (307 ha), respectively. The
suitability map in this study could be vital and helpful in management decision options. However, the
criteria considered for land suitability evaluation were mainly based on the biophysical environment, and,
hence, further studies can be carried out by integrating socioeconomic parameters to improve the
suitability results of the study area.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of Master of Science Degree in Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) in the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Kenyatta University January, 2024
Supervisors:
1. Jayne Mugwe
2. Harun Gitari
3. Boniface Massawe