Identification of land areas suitable for Fadama farming at Federal University OF Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria using GIS

Abstract

Fadama farming provides a platform for sustained crop cultivation during dry season. This research was directed towards identifying new land areas within the Federal University of Agriculture with the use of Geographical Information System (GIS). The few existing Fadama sites within the study area were searched and their corresponding sizes were determined and represented in a map, using the tool of GIS. The drainage map of the study area was also created using Arcview. Proper digitizing and  geeoreferenceing was done for the study area using GIS software and further GIS operations such as overlay and buffering were performed. The data from these operations were finally superimposed with the soil series of the study area to identify new land areas that were suitable for Fadama farming. The results produced a total of 21 areas suitable for Fadama farming in the study area. The result eventually revealed the capacity of Geographical Information System and how its analysis enable us to interpolate, combine and compare this spatial data to achieve the aim of site selection. It helped to identify new sites that can be used for Fadama practise expanding the scope of Fadama farming in the Federal University of  Agriculture Abeokuta ultimately enhancing revenue generation and the society’s need for food security. Management of these wetland ecosystems requires an  understanding and mapping of the spatial distribution of their resources and how they are current being utilized. The geographical information system is a tool for agriculturists to utilize its potential for future production.