Abstract
This study presents a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based geostatistical and visualization analysis of crop suitability in two blocks of sub-mountain area of Punjab under diversification programme. It combines the limitation approach of land capability classification, productivity potential evaluation procedure and crop suitability evaluation framework of FAO. Two blocks from the sub mountain Siwalik region of Punjab viz., Mahalpur and Garhshankar were selected. This study evaluates the capabilities of the study area for traditional crops like wheat, paddy and maize, and recently introduced crops like sugarcane, sunflower, pea, rapeseed-mustard, potatoes and kinnow for agricultural diversification. The suitability of the crops has been worked out at the village level. About 35–40 per cent of total area mostly in Siwallik hills is not fit for growing any type of crop. Sandy texture, uneven topography, moderately steep slopes and excessive drainage are responsible for unsuitability of this area. The GIS based suitability analysis for traditional crops as well as for new crops, under diversification of agriculture has been undertaken. The geostatistical analysis points towards suitability of relatively large areas for new crops like sunflower, potato, pea (green) and sugarcane. Forty three and 14 per cent of total area has been found highly suitable and suitable respectively for growing green pea - a cash crop. Thirty three per cent of total area is suitable for growing kinnow fruit. The success of diversification programme is subject to logical government policy in terms of providing cold storage, food processing facility and marketing infrastructure.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Belka KM (2005) Multicriteria Analysis and GIS application in the Selection of sustainable motorway corridor. Master’s thesis submitted to Linköpings universitet Institutionen för datavetenskap. ISRN-LIU-IDA-D20-05/019-SE
Boje G, Rucker G, Senzige S and Skowronek A (1998) Land suitability for crop diversification and yield potential of a drained swamp area in NW-Tanzania. Tropenlandwirt 99(1): 65–75
Boroushaki S and Malczewski J (2008) Implementing an extension of the analytical hierarchy process using ordered weighted averaging operators with fuzzy quantifiers in ArcGIS Source. Computers & Geosciences Archive 34(4): 399–410
Collins MG, Steiner FR and Rushman MJ (2001) Landuse suitability analysis in the United States: Historical development and promising technologicalachievements. Environmental Management 28(5): 611–621
FAO (1976) A framework for land evaluation. ‘FAO Soils Bulletin’, No. 32. Land and Water Development Division FAO, UN, Rome
Kanlaya T, Songkot D, Chalie N (2009) Integration of land evaluation and the analytical hierarchical process method for energy crops in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Science Asia 35: 170–177
Kliengebiel AA and Montgomery PH (1968) Landcapability classification. Agriculture, Handbook, No. 210. USDA, Washington DC
Kumar R, Singh B, Kaur P and Viraj B (2008) Planning for precision farming in different agroecological sub-regions of Punjab — role of natural resources in agricultural research, planning, development, & transfer of technology. Department of Soils, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana -141001, India, p 72 + 13 maps
Liengsakul M, Mekpaiboonwatana S, Pramojanee P, Bronsveld K and Huizing H (1993) Use of GIS and remote sensing for soil mapping and for locating new sites for permanent cropland — a case study in the highlands of northern Thailand. Geoderma 60(1–4): 293–307
Malczewski J (2004) GIS-based land-use suitability analysis: a critical overview. Progress in Planning 62(1): 3–65
Riquire J, Bramo D L and Cornet J P (1970) A new system of soil appraisal in terms of actual and potential productivity. Soil resources development and conservation service, Land and water development division, FAO, Italy, Rome AGEL:TESR,70/6
Rossiter D G (1996) A theoretical framework for land evaluation. Geoderma 72: 165–190
Satyavathi PLA and Reddy MS (2004) Soil suitability for six major crops in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. Journal of Indian Society of Soil Science 52(3): 220–225
Sahoo NR, Jothimani P and Tripathy GK (2000) Multi-criteria analysis in GIS environment for Natural Resource Development — A Case Study on Gold Exploration. Online publications cited from GISdevelopment.net http://www.gisdevelopment.net/magazine/gisdev/2000/may/gise.shtml
Shen Q and Jensen R (2007) Rough sets, their extensions and applications. International Journal of Automation and Computing 4(3): 217–228
Sys Ir C, van Ranst E and Debaveye J (1991) Land evaluation Part I Principles in land evaluation and crop production calculations. International training centre for post-graduate soil scientists, University Ghent
van Lanen HAJ, Hacktenbroeke MJD, Bouma J and Degroot WJM (1992) A mixed qualitative quantitative physical land evaluation methodology. Geoderma 55(1–2): 37–54
Wang YQ, Zhou DH and Liu LH (2007) Reliable memory feedback design for a class of nonlinear fuzzy systems with time-varying delay. International Journal of Automation and Computing 4(2): 169–176
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
About this article
Cite this article
Kumar, R., Mehra, P.K., Singh, B. et al. Geostatistical and visualization analysis of crop suitability for diversification in sub-mountain area of Punjab, North-West India. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 38, 211–226 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12524-010-0028-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12524-010-0028-4