Land Suitability Analysis for Rice Cultivation Using a GIS - based Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Multi - Criteria Decision Making Approach: Kabba / Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria

James Oladimeji

Abstract: This research focused on evaluating the suitability of land for rice farming within the Kabba/Bunu local government area using an integrated approach that combines the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) within a Geographic Information System (GIS). The selection of key factors such as climate, soil, topography, and land use/land cover (LULC) was guided by the FAO's guidelines and expert recommendations. Through the integration of GIS - based Multi - Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and the application of AHP for prioritizing these factors, we developed weighted suitability layers, culminating in the creation of a comprehensive map indicating areas optimal for rice cultivation. The land was categorized into five suitability levels: most suitable, more suitable, suitable, less suitable, and not suitable. The findings confirm the efficacy of AHP in conducting such analyses, provided the correct variables are chosen. Notably, approximately 38% of the region, primarily in the south, was identified as moderately suitable for rice cultivation.

Keywords: rice farming, land suitability, Geographic Information System GIS, Analytic Hierarchy Process AHP, Kabba Bunu