Assessment and Preparation of Land Suitability Maps for Wheat Crop in Erbil District

This research focuses on assessing and preparing land suitability for wheat cultivation in the Erbil District through a comprehensive analysis aimed at identifying the most favourable areas for agricultural production. The study integrates land characteristics with climatic factors to support agricultural development initiatives and promote efficient land use. The primary objective of the research is to produce accurate and detailed suitability maps that assist farmers and decision-makers in selecting optimal cultivation sites. The evaluation process considered key criteria, most notably soil fertility and climatic conditions. These data were utilised to generate spatial suitability maps that illustrate the potential of each land unit for wheat cultivation. The findings of the study contribute to improving wheat productivity, reducing the misallocation of agricultural resources, enhancing food security, and encouraging sustainable land management practices. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing techniques were employed to analyze extensive environmental datasets, enabling precise spatial assessments. Additionally, the study incorporated socioeconomic factors—such as proximity to markets and availability of irrigation sources—to provide a comprehensive and practical framework for land suitability analysis. The results revealed that approximately 67.87% of the land area was classified as highly suitable (S1), 18.23% as moderately suitable (S2), and 13.89% as unsuitable (N2). These classifications were influenced by several key natural factors, including soil depth, texture, organic matter content, salinity (EC), calcium carbonate content (CaCO₃), rainfall, and land slope. Overall, the study offers a reliable reference for future agricultural planning and the formulation of sustainable land use strategies in the Erbil District. Specifically, the evaluation revealed that approximately 67.87% of the land was classified as highly suitable (S1), 18.23% as moderately suitable (S2), and 13.89% as not suitable (N2) for wheat cultivation. These classifications were primarily influenced by several critical natural factors, including soil depth, soil texture, organic matter content, salinity (EC), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), rainfall, and land slope. These findings highlight the significance of integrating biophysical indicators in agricultural planning to ensure optimal land use and sustainable crop production.