Suitability analysis for agroforestry in District Hamirpur of Himachal Pradesh, India by using AHP method

Agroforestry presents a sustainable and effective approach to address land degradation and climate change while enhancing social and economic well-being. It is crucial to evaluate the current status of agroforestry and identify opportunities for its expansion. This includes mapping of existing agroforestry areas and conducting thorough analyses to pinpoint regions with favorable conditions for future adoption of agroforestry practices. In the present study conducted in Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district, geospatial technology was employed to integrate various ecological, topographical, soil, climatic, and socio-economic criteria. The analysis utilized analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and indicated that 20.78% of the area was highly suitable, 20.51% moderately suitable, 9.76% marginally suitable, 2.80% currently not suitable, and about 46.15% of the area was permanently not suitable. The generated agroforestry suitability map was cross-referenced with high-resolution images from Google Earth by generating a total of 200 random points with an overall accuracy of 83% and a kappa coefficient of 0.79. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers in allocating funds for agroforestry projects and advancing the goals of GROW report launched by NITI Aayog. Such assessments are therefore essential for guiding targeted interventions and supporting government departments and industries for greening and restoration projects.