Geospatial Assessment of Temperate Fruit Sites for Sustainable Horticultural Diversification in Meghalaya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53550/ijsc.v53.i3.209Keywords:
Crop diversification, GIS, Geospatial analysis, Horticulture, Meghalaya, Site suitability, Soil conservationAbstract
Meghalaya has significant potential for horticultural diversification, particularly for temperate fruit crops. This study evaluates site suitability for apple, pear, and peach cultivation in Meghalaya using geospatial techniques, with a specific focus on sustainable land use and soil conservation in a landscape prone to degradation. Key parameters considered include soil depth, drainage, texture, pH, organic matter, nutrient availability (P and K), climatic variables (temperature, rainfall, and chilling hours), and topographic variables (slope, elevation, and slope aspect). Suitable areas were classified into highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3), and not suitable (N) zones using the FAO Land Evaluation Framework. The suitability model was validated against 785 ground-truth observations, yielding an overall accuracy of 90% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.86, confirming its predictive reliability. West Khasi Hills emerges as the district with the highest concentration of suitable land for all three crops, particularly in the blocks of Mawthadraishan, Nongstoin, and Mairang. A total of 64,485.92 hectares were identified as suitable for at least one crop, of which 24,259.52 hectares are highly suitable for all three simultaneously — representing the most promising zones for integrated orchard development and long-term soil stabilization. By providing a spatially explicit framework, this study supports evidence-based planning for nursery development, cold-chain infrastructure, marketing linkages, and climate-resilient horticultural diversification in Meghalaya.
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