Abstract
Maps of land-use classes and soil series were analysed to identify areas having specific priorities with respect to agricultural land-use analysis. Remote sensing data supported by field investigations was used to generate land-use and soil maps. Present relationships between soils and associated land cover/use are analysed and patterns in these relationships are identified using GIS techniques. Relationships observed on the basis of a priori knowledge of the area and the available statistics are compared and these relationships in the field and through interviews with farmers are correlated. This allows three land-use analysis objectives to be formulated: crop management improvement; crop selection; and conservation. The results can be used to focus the efforts of planning and extension services in the area. The method was tested using a participatory rural appraisal in eighteen villages in which the areas for the three land-use analysis objectives were identified. The findings are that the areas identified for crop management improvement require knowledge about management practices for a specific crop to optimize yield and water use. Most areas identified for crop selection are occupied by smallholder subsistence farmers with insufficient water for irrigation, and a lack of contact with the extension service. In these areas, identifying suitable crops to minimize risk and allow subsistence for the resource-poor farmers may be the priority. In areas identified for conservation the question to be addressed is whether to grow a crop at all, or to encourage alternative activities.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 513-525 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Land Degradation and Development |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sep 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- conservation
- crop management improvement
- crop selection
- GIS
- land-use objectives
- remote sensing
- soils