Assessment of land suitability for irrigation in West Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract The assessment of land suitability is the key to sustained agricultural output. Thus, study aimed assess for irrigation development in West Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A GIS-based analytical hierarchy process was applied evaluate a multi-criteria analysis. factors such as soil (depth, drainage, texture, pH, organic carbon, available water content, and salinity), slope, use/cover, proximity river, road, urban areas, rainfall deficit were considered. These reclassified, weighted, then overlaid using weighted overlay tool ArcGIS software. classified lands area from highly suitable permanently unsuitable determine classes. results showed that 10.27% (1419.87 km 2 ) suitable, 73.23% (10,128.97 moderately 16.34% (2259.95 marginally 0.16% (22.16 not suitable. all woredas mainly irrigation. However, Metarobi had most land, followed by Elfata with Abuna Gindeberet land. revealed huge potential zone. As result, it can serve basis zonal-level planning future development. Therefore, helps improve community’s lifestyle increasing production.