Assessing Irrigation Potential in East Africa: A Critical Review of Multicriteria Analysis Using GIS and Land Suitability Assessment for Irrigation

Abstract

This comprehensive review analyzes existing methodologies and applications for assessing irrigation potential in Ethiopia, a nation heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture despite having significant water and land resources. Ethiopia faces challenges in fully utilizing its irrigation potential due to various problems related to planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of systems as well as inconsistencies in assessment methodologies. The review identifies a prevalent use of multicriteria analysis using a geographic information system (GIS), particularly the analytic hierarchy process, for land suitability assessment. Key factors consistently evaluated for irrigation suitability include soil, slope, land use/cover, and proximity to water sources. Methodologies often categorize land into suitability classes ranging from highly suitable to permanently unsuitable. The review highlights the importance of accurate data, such as high-resolution digital elevation models for slope analysis. By critically analyzing current practices, this review aims to identify their strengths and weaknesses and provide recommendations to improve the accuracy and relevance of future irrigation potential assessments in Ethiopia.