Physical land suitability assessment for sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum L.) production in Western Ethiopia

Abstract Land is a non‐renewable resource that has a finite quantity, and efficient use of this resource is imperative for food security, development, and adaptation to climatic change. In this regard, land suitability analysis is a fundamental decision‐support system that ensures the allocation of this resource for an optimal production agenda while sustaining a clean environment. The research aims to address the important gap in site‐specific information on land suitability for the production of sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum L.) in Ethiopia, a major factor underpinning poor performance in terms of output despite heavy investment. Working with the Food and Agriculture Organization methodology of land evaluation, this research was conducted to examine the physical suitability of lands for growing sugarcane in the area covering Arjo‐Dhidhesa Estate Sugar Factory in Western Ethiopia. Land suitability evaluation was conducted using the minimum–maximum constraint method in the ArcGIS mapping tool. Land mapping units (LMUs) were identified based on topography, soil depth, texture, and morpho–physico–chemical properties, and then evaluated against sugarcane requirements. Additionally, agro‐climatic information for the 1983–2022 period was evaluated. The analysis shows that agro‐climatic factors in this region support a level of “high suitability” (S1) for sugarcane, but soils bring in some degree of restriction in different LMUs. The LMU 1Ahc and 1Cc showed a degree of “moderate suitability” (S2) restriction based mainly on acidity and shallowness of soils, respectively. However, LMU 3Ahc and 2Bscl were “marginally suitable” (S3) based mainly on low content of organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), and available phosphorus (P). Topography, drainage, and millability constraints had minimal impact and did not significantly limit suitability in any of the LMUs. As this research finds, despite climatic suitability, using this site‐specific methodology in soils to alleviate different physical and chemical restrictions may have a major role in ensuring sugarcane sustainability in this region through a balanced application strategy in soils.