Dairy cattle production suitability analysis using GIS and analytical hierarchy process in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Menale Wondie; Assemu Tesfa; Tewodros Bimerew; Demelash Kasshun; Adebabay Kebede; Addisu Bitew; Likawent Yeheyis; Beyene Belay; Yeshwas Ferede; Asresu Yitayew

Article Details

Dairy cattle production suitability analysis using GIS and analytical hierarchy process in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Authors:

Menale Wondie | Assemu Tesfa | Tewodros Bimerew | Demelash Kasshun | Adebabay Kebede | Addisu Bitew | Likawent Yeheyis | Beyene Belay | Yeshwas Ferede | Asresu Yitayew

Publisher:

INRA

Journal:

African and Mediterranean Agricultural Journal - Al Awamia Issue 150, pp.79-91

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001843688

pISSN:

2658-9184

Abstract:

 Amhara region is endowed with diverse agroecology suitable for dairy production. However, there is limited quantitative information indicating this potential of dairy production. This study aims to analyse and map the suitability of biophysical factors for dairy production in Amhara region using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. Temperature, rainfall, altitude, land cover and slope were the top biophysical factors chosen for dairy cattle suitability mapping. The suitability mapping showed that majority of the temperature (53.6%), altitude (24.8%) and slope (59.5%) in the region were classified as highly suitable. The AHP analysis result indicated that temperature has got the highest weighted value (0.41) followed by rainfall (0.24) to influence the requirements of dairy cattle production. From the total area under study, 14.2%, 56.1%, 28.1% and 1.7% was highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable and not suitable, respectively. This result is found to be important to support decision making on dairy production investment, reduce dairy investment risks and contribute to food security and job opportunity. This would help to plan sustainable development of dairy production. The future study related to suitability should integrate socioeconomic and institutional aspects.

Article Details

Dairy cattle production suitability analysis using GIS and analytical hierarchy process in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Authors: Menale Wondie | Assemu Tesfa | Tewodros Bimerew | Demelash Kasshun | Adebabay Kebede | Addisu Bitew | Likawent Yeheyis | Beyene Belay | Yeshwas Ferede | Asresu Yitayew

Publisher: INRA

Journal: African and Mediterranean Agricultural Journal - Al Awamia Issue 150, pp.79-91

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 3/2026

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001843688

pISSN: 2658-9184

Issues

Authors:

Menale Wondie | Assemu Tesfa | Tewodros Bimerew | Demelash Kasshun | Adebabay Kebede | Addisu Bitew | Likawent Yeheyis | Beyene Belay | Yeshwas Ferede | Asresu Yitayew

Publisher:

INRA

Journal:

African and Mediterranean Agricultural Journal - Al Awamia Issue 150, pp.79-91

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001843688

pISSN:

2658-9184