Soil Suitability Evaluation for Agriculture: New Model Development and Validation

The evaluation of land suitability for agricultural production is a complex process that requires specialized information and expert analysis. This paper introduces the Soil Suitability Evaluation (SSE) model, a computer program designed to assess land suitability for agriculture. The model considers soil surface conditions (erosion, micro-relief, and slope), physical characteristics (texture and depth), and chemical properties (salinity, sodicity, fertility, and calcium carbonate). It involves calculating these soil characteristics along with their respective weights. Compared to other land suitability evaluation methods, the SSE model provides realistic and practical results including assessments of soil and crop suitability. It serves as a simple and useful tool for decision-makers to determine land quality for agricultural use and proposed some recommendations for land reclamation.