AGRICULTURAL LAND USES SUITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR NORTHERN AND EASTERN AREAS OF THE UAE

Abstract

Land is the main source of all agricultural activities, as the choice of suitable types for agricultural activities depends mainly on the type of land and natural resources available. There is a competitive trade-off between different land uses and the gradual growth of population growth, making the demarcation of potential agricultural land a top priority. This is done using GIS and remote sensing techniques, through which it is possible to determine the optimal use of agricultural land, and its suitability for growing different types of field and horticultural crops.

The ultimate objective of this study is to assess the suitability of land for agriculture in the UAE, specifically the northern and eastern regions (Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah) where it can be used by state officials and decision-makers to plan and expand future agricultural activities, direct agricultural investment activities, and finance them in areas with high agricultural suitability. Using the analytical hierarchy (AHP) and geographic information systems (GIS) method, many data were used to achieve the objective of the study, which is categorized into six main groups: soil characteristics, geology, topography characteristics, climatic factors, and land-use/land cover elements. The results showed that the Emirate of Fujairah came in the first place with a degree of suitability for agriculture, followed by the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah with a degree of suitability and then Sharjah with a marginally appropriate degree, under all the elements of the study. The study recommends conducting further research on the type of crops suitable for the nature of the soil and its characteristics within the scope of the study to determine the best arable crops in that region, and determine their economic feasibility and investment opportunities, which helps in drawing the map of agricultural development in that region.

Index Terms—Land suitability for agriculture, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Analytical hierarchy (AHP), GIS.