GIS-Based Analysis of Land Suitability for Rice Production in Food Buffer Area of New Capital City Indonesia

Abstract

Land suitability plays a crucial role in increasing food production including rice. This research aims to analyze land suitability for rice production using Geospatial and Geographic Information System (GIS) approaches. Five indicators presented in GIS raster maps, such as topography (land elevation), land slope, annual rainfall, flood hazard, and soil type were used for land suitability assessment and applied in the Paser Regency, East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. Quantitative assessment using scoring was applied to classify the indicator values and categorize land suitability into four categories, namely highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3), and not suitable (N). The result indicated that the study area was covered by three zone categories of land suitability i.e., moderately suitable (8.49%), marginally suitable (77.9%), and not suitable (13.61%). The characteristics of land elevation, land slope and rainfall were relatively suitable for rice crop cultivation. Whereas the characteristics of the soil, which was peat and acidic, were constraining factors in cultivating rice crops. Flood disasters in areas with low slopes and elevations significantly threatened rice fields. This study provides a valuable reference for assisting decision-makers in planning optimal land use for rice production particularly under tropical climate.