Developing a New Methodology for the Use of GIS and AHP in Determining Suitable Areas for Wheat Plants in the Lower Kelkit Basin

Abstract

In agricultural production planning; compiling the data correctly, and using and interpreting the data precisely have strategic importance. This study aims, it is aimed to develop a model that can evaluate the suitability of the Lower Kelkit Basin for wheat farming by using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and current GIS technologies. In the study, weight values of seven different criteria of topography (slope, aspect) and soil (texture, organic matter (OM), CaCO3, EC, pH) were calculated with AHP. These weight values and standardized criteria maps were combined within the ArcGIS Weighted Overlay tool and the result maps were created according to the FAO suitability index. According to these maps, 54% of the Lower Kelkit Basin was modeled as unsuitable (N) for wheat, 22% as moderately suitable (S2), and 24% as highly suitable (S1). In addition to all these, an editable and updatable ArcGIS model tool was also produced as a result of the study. Our results indicated that AHP and GIS are powerful and effective tools that can be used in land suitability modeling.