Suitability Mapping for White-fleshed (Hylocereus undatus) and Red-fleshed (Hylocereus costaricensis) Dragon fruit Farming in Butuan City Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and GIS

Abstract

This study uses GIS-based software to create a suitability map for white-fleshed and red-fleshed dragon fruit farming in Butuan City. Different sets of parameters were employed under biophysical, social-economic, and climatic factors, moreover multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach through pairwise comparisons and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was particularly utilized to derive the suitability ratings per parameters taken from the experts. With that, four suitability classes were used to categorize suitability: High, Moderate, Low, and Not Suitable. Results showed that Butuan City with a total area of 66, 490.13 hectares (ha) has an overall suitable area of 61, 964.11 ha. Additionally, 13,780.98 hectares (20.73%), 29,606.67 hectares (44.53%), and 18,331.84 hectares (27.57%) were rated high, moderate, and low suitability, respectively. The remaining areas consisting of 4,770.64 ha (7.17%) were the areas unsuitable for farming. Among the 13 districts of Butuan City, District 8 has the highest suitable area comprised of 10 barangays.