Application of geo spatial techniques in land suitability analysis for coffee growing with in Amolator district.

Abstract

Uganda’s economic development is highly dependent on agricultural production since it employs approximately 70% of the population and contributes about 37% to the GDP (ITA, 2020). Uganda is one of the leading exporters of coffee globally, with exports of coffee amounting to 10.7% of foreign exchange earnings (2019). Amolator district is endowed with large tracts of fertile and irrigable land resources suitable to became an agricultural hub of the kyoga basin region and to the country at large. however, survey shows that mostly ordinary crops are grown as per history of which they are of low value.

This study’s aim was to map out suitable areas for coffee with Amolator district in the kyoga basin to improve and develop a scientific foundation onto which coffee growing is to be based. with understanding of different variable factors that affect coffee growing, such factors include soil types, climatic conditions, slope, water proximity and so forth. basing on multicriteria analysis and use of the overlay tool embedded in the GIS environment, different suitability maps were generated and developed. validation of the generated suitability model was based on both actual findings on the ground, and experimental analysis of the samples picked. the results of the study have potential to improve the coffee production in Amolator and country wide country wide.