Combined Suitability of Land for Rainfed Crops and Pastures

Agricultural productivity of the land depends on environmental conditions, biophysical requirements of plants and animals, and the level and nature of human input.

Maps generally depict productivity based only on environmental conditions. This map takes into account the other conditions and is considered more precise. Agricultural suitability of each pixel for nine major crop groups plus pastures was modeled and assessed to make the map. The results are expressed in the form of crop and pasture suitability indices (CSI and PSI); the higher the value of the index, the more suitable the pixel.

For further information, see van Velthuizen, H., Huddleston, B., Fischer, G., Salvatore, M., Ataman, E., and Nachtergaele, F., 2006. “Mapping Biophysical Factors That Influence Agricultural Production and Rural Vulnerability,” Environmental and Natural Resources Series No. 11, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome.

This map was prepared as part of the FAO Poverty Mapping Project (GCP/INT/761/NOR), which was funded by the Government of Norway.