Geographic information system based model for agricultural planning : a case study of Chitwan district, Nepal | |
| Author | Pariyar, Madan Prasad |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.AE-94-05 |
| Subject(s) | Geographic information systems Agricultural development projects--Nepal |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. AE-94-05 |
| Abstract | Spatial referencing and managing resource data are becoming increasingly important for sustainable agricultural deve10pment planning. The procedures deve10ped to date for agricultural planning using agro—ecological zoning and land suitability evaluation are applicable for rainfed agriculture mainly. Farm mechanization planning in the past has not adequately dealt with the potentials and possible spatial extent of various levels of mechanization. The main objective of this research is to advance a methodology for agricultural planning using geographic information system approach. GIS based models for agro-ecological zoning, land suitability evaluation and farm mechanization planning were deveLOped. Chitwan district of Nepal was selected for the case study. A year-long field survey was conducted in the study area in 1992793 covering a complete cycle of crop rotation. Data on daily inputs and outputs for eight crops and 233 crop plots were collected from 33 sample farms. These farms represented three main categories, viz. tractor, power tiller and bullock farms, and three sub-categories, viz. canal irrigated, pump irrigated and rainfed farms. Primary digital databases were generated from analogue maps, landsat images and aerial photographs. The database for irrigation was created from statistical information and data collected during field survey. Temperature. moisture, irrigation and soil regimes were used as input layers for agro-ecological zoning. Land suitability evaluation was carried out for eight crops at three levels of inputs considering soil resources, irrigation possibilities and climatic features. Spatial extents for potential levels of mechanization were identified by integrating agricultural land, irrigation and slope layers. The GIS model for agro-ecological zoning delineated seven agro-ecological zones and built a land resources database which consisted of 2453 ago-ecological cells. The model indicates that arable land area in the district can be as much as 187,640 ha, out of which 38,910 ha classified as agro-ecological zone I, has the highest potential for agricultural development with possibility of three crops a year. Using the land suitability model, spatial zones with various suitability ratings were delineated for each of the selected crops and a crop suitability database was created. The model indicates that about 45 to 50 % of the total land area in the district is not suitable for the cultivation of the selected crops because of soil resources constraints. The agricultural land suitable for paddy, mustard, maize, wheat, lentil, millet, buckwheat and potato in the study area are 49,170, 48,660, 47,680, 47,760, 48,660, 47,630, 48,520 and 48,180 ha reSpectively. Application of the mechanization model delineated potential spatial zones for tractor/power tiller/bullock — canal irrigated, tractor/power tiller/bullock - purnp irrigated, power tiller bullock - pump irrigated and bullock - rainfed farms, and created a mechanization potential database. The model indicates' that the possible Spatial extents for these levels of mechanization can be 29,310, 9,510, 90 and 11,790 ha. Land use database was updated using GIS and remote sensing techniques. The study of land use pattern showed that agricultural land area in the district had declined by about 11 % during the period 1978 to 1992; while the total area under forest and grazing remained nearly unchanged. The urban land area in 1992 was alm05t twice as that in 1978. The socio-economic analysis of sample farms indicated that the cr0pping intensity and crop yields in irrigated farms were higher compared to rainfed farms. Under irrigated conditions, tractor farms obtained higher yields and had lesser cost of production compared to bullock farms. Gross margin per labor-day in tractor and power tiller farms were higher than bullock farms. Human labor employment per unit cr0pped area was lower in tractor and power tiller farms compared to bullock farm. Among the winter cr0ps, gross margin and human labor employment per hectare was highest in potato cultivation. The average per hectare gross margin and human labor employment was higher in summer paddy compared to summer maize. Three different deve10pment scenarios were formulated assuming various extents of irrigation expansion and different combinations of the sources of farm power. The projections show that the cropping intensity will increase from the 1992/93 level of 191 % to 206 % in scenario I, 222 % in scenario II and 236 % in scenario III. The production of all major crOps will increase under the three scenarios. Human labor employment will increase by 4 % in scenario I, 8 % in scenario II and 10 % in scenario III. The cost of production for all crops will be reduced. The requirements for tractors, power tillers, mechanical pumps and chemical fertilizers will increase. The contribution of tractors in land preparation will increase from the 1992/93 level of 16 % to 26 % in scenario I, 34 % in scenario II and 43 % in scenario III. Similarly, the contribution of power tillers will increase from 2 % to 9 % in scenario I, 10 % in scenario II and 12 % in scenario III. A GIS based methodology for agricultural planning has been advanced. Land resources, crop suitability and mechanization potential databases of the district have been created. Three agricultural plans indicated as development scenarios I, II and III, are recommended. Identification of production potential for alternative crops is one of the studies recommended for future. |
| Year | 1994 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. AE-94-05 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Siugh, Gajendra; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Weber, Karl E.;Clough, David Gee;Apisit Eiumnoh; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1994 |