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Mapping Land Suitability for Agriculture in Malawi
Author(s) -
Li Guiying,
Messina Joseph P.,
Peter Brad G.,
Snapp Sieglinde S.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
land degradation and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1099-145X
pISSN - 1085-3278
DOI - 10.1002/ldr.2723
Subject(s) - agriculture , food security , agricultural productivity , agricultural land , cropping , land use , soil quality , edaphic , marginal land , soil fertility , agroforestry , land management , distribution (mathematics) , productivity , environmental science , geography , economics , soil water , economic growth , soil science , mathematics , archaeology , mathematical analysis , civil engineering , engineering
Population growth, climate sensitivity, and edaphic properties are important factors that influence decision‐making and risk mitigation for agricultural production. Within the agricultural sector in Malawi, continuous cropping without the use of long‐term sustainable strategies and frequent cultivation on marginal lands have resulted in continually declining soil fertility. Improving soil quality of marginal lands using innovative technologies is imperative for increasing agricultural productivity and improving food security. Here, we propose an ensemble approach to map agricultural land suitability and identify the distribution of marginal land in Malawi. Quantitative data available for eight soil and terrain factors were rated individually, and five distinct models were applied to generate a spatial distribution map of land suitability. The results indicate that highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable, and unsuitable agricultural areas account for 8·2%, 24·1%, 28·0%, and 39·7% of the total land area, respectively. The majority of suitable lands are currently used for agriculture, but more than half (57·4%) of Malawi's total cropland exists on marginally suitable or unsuitable land categories and is likely a candidate for rehabilitation through sustainable agricultural practices. The methods and products herein will be valuable resources for effectively managing and improving Malawi's agricultural lands for increasing food security. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.