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Abstract:This paper deals with the geospatial suitability analysis of organic farming in the Garhwal Himalaya, India, using the AHP method in association with Geographic Information Systems. Organic farming is very important for the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices in mountainous regions where topographical as well as environmental factors play an important role in land suitability. It makes use of multiple criteria: Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), Topographic Ruggedness Index (TRI), Topographic Positioning Index (TPI), slope, flow direction, flow accumulation, aspect, hillshade, curvature, and tan slope. A pairwise comparison matrix was formulated using AHP to assign weights for these parameters based on their relative importance in determining land suitability for organic farming. With the integration of such weighted factors by the GIS tools, it has given scope for developing a detailed suitability map over the land areas, which identified very-low, low, moderate, high, and very-high suitability areas for organic farming. Therefore, the results show that the spatial variability of the suitability of land is a large factor in the Garhwal Himalaya, developed by the complicated interaction between topographic and hydrological factors. High scoring districts include Chamoli and Rudraprayag, while low scores were reported in regions located in Tehri Garhwal and Pauri Garhwal, mainly due to steeper slopes and rough topography. The research output is really important for policymakers and local farmers in order to expand organic farming in ecologically sustainable areas. The methodology adopted offers a replicable framework for land suitability assessment in the other mountainous regions of the world, and it contributes to the larger discourse on sustainable agricultural development. |