Suitability analysis for scaling chickpea varieties in Ethiopia using multi-criteria evaluation and geographic information system (GIS)

The land suitability analysis and mapping were carried out using a geographic information system and multi-criteria approach for scaling chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties in Ethiopia. Therefore, the biophysical variables of climate, topography, and soil were considered for suitability analysis. The environmental factors’ layers of chickpea varieties pixel values were classified and given a rate and ranked. The suitability criteria layers were assigned weights to account for their relative importance. The study's objective was to develop a suitability map for chickpea (C. arietinum L.) varieties using a geographic information system and multi-criteria evaluation approach. Based on the suitability analysis, Desi chickpea varieties Mastewal, Naatolii, Teketay and Arerti, Habru, Kasech, and Yelbey Kabuli chickpea varieties are classified as highly suitable that cover 0.67, 0.71, 1.4, 2.3, 1.3, 2.4 and 1.2 million hectare of the country, respectively whereas moderately suitable areas for the same varieties cover 25.2, 11.3, 25.9, 26.4, 26.6, 9.6, and 17.1 million hectare. The suitability analysis results showed that the currently available improved varieties of chickpea could be targeted for scaling out improved technologies in the identified land suitability classes in the country. The study's findings can be used for policy and decision-making processes to ensure the efficient use of land resources.