Assessing Crop Suitability of Rice, Wheat, and Maize on Agricultural Lands in Taiwan

In Taiwan, the demand for rice has decreased with increasing demands for wheat and maize due to change of dietary habits. The deficiency in crop production has led to an overall food self-sufficiency rate lower than 40%, and thus strategies on planting distributions among different crops are necessary. In this study, rice, wheat, and maize were evaluated for crop suitability by considering soil, rainfall, temperature, irrigation, and soil erosion factors using multi-criteria assessment, hierarchical analysis, and one-at-a-time sensitivity analysis methods. The crop suitability maps showed that agricultural lands all over Taiwan have generally moderate or high suitability for rice cultivation, especially in southwestern Taiwan. Wheat is more suitable to grow on agricultural lands close to hills in central, northwestern, and southeastern Taiwan. Except for coastal areas in the western plains, many agricultural lands in Taiwan are found suitable for maize. Sensitivity analysis showed that provisions of water during the growing season have more evident effects on the cultivation of all three crops, compared to the effects of temperature and soil characteristics. Comparison among the cultivated regions and crop suitability maps indicated that rice has been cultivated in extensive regions throughout Taiwan, but wheat and maize were found in limited locations despite the high proportions of suitable land conditions. This suggests high potential of enhancing the cultivation areas for wheat and maize based on agroecological conditions of the lands. This study contributes to provide land allocation strategies for effective cultivation and to promote sustainable land use.

Automated summary

The demand for rice in Taiwan has decreased while the demand for wheat and maize has increased due to changes in dietary habits. The crop suitability of rice, wheat, and maize in Taiwan was evaluated using multi-criteria assessment, hierarchical analysis, and sensitivity analysis methods. The results showed that rice has moderate to high suitability all over Taiwan, especially in southwestern Taiwan. Wheat is more suitable in hill areas of central, northwestern, and southeastern Taiwan. Many agricultural lands in Taiwan are suitable for maize except for coastal areas in the western plains. The study suggests the potential for expanding the cultivation areas for wheat and maize based on agroecological conditions.