Kebirungi, Juliet2026-05-192026-05-192025-10Kebirungi, J. (2025). Land suitability assessment using multicriteria evaluation for sugarcane production in Amuru district. Kyambogo University (unpublished work)https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12504/2897Xii, 63 p. :This study conducted a land suitability assessment and economic analysis for sugarcane production in Amuru District, Northern Uganda, to address three objectives: 1) to determine the land use/cover types, 2) to assess land suitability for sugarcane production using a multicriteria evaluation tool, and 3) to determine its economic benefits. The methodology involved a mixed-methods approach. Land use/cover was mapped via supervised classification of Landsat imagery, achieving a 97% accuracy. For suitability analysis, key soil (pH, CEC, OC, N, P, K, texture, drainage), climate (rainfall, temperature), and topographic (slope) factors were evaluated. These criterias were standardized and integrated using a GIS-based Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) anchored by the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to derive expert-weighted importance. The resulting layers were synthesized using a weighted overlay technique to produce the final suitability map. Economically, a cost-benefit analysis was performed using primary cost and revenue data from Atiak sugarcane estates to calculate Net Farm Income (NFI) and the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) over a full crop cycle. The land use/cover analysis revealed a landscape dominated by grassland (46%) and cropland (33%). The suitability results classified a vast majority (99%) of the district's arable land as moderately suitable (S2) and only 1% as highly suitable (S1) for sugarcane, with no land deemed unsuitable. The primary constraints were soil-related, specifically low pH and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). Economically, sugarcane cultivation was found to be highly viable, with an average yield of 80 tons/ha, a profit of UGX 4,832,467 per hectare, and a robust average B/C ratio of 2.0, indicating strong financial returns. The study concludes that while Amuru District is largely moderately suitable for sugarcane and the venture is financially profitable, achieving optimal productivity is contingent on addressing soil fertility limitations. It is recommended that farmers and investors adopt targeted soil management strategies, including the application of phosphatic fertilizers and soil amendments to improve pH and CEC. Policymakers should utilize the generated suitability maps for informed land use planning to prevent conflicts. Furthermore, future research should integrate socioeconomic factors and investigate irrigation potential to enhance the sustainability and resilience of sugarcane production in the district.enLand useAgricultural suitability mapsSugarcaneAgricultural zoningThesis