Analysis of Suitable Areas for Wheat Production in 2 Areas of Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son Provinces

Abstract

From the statistics of wheat imports in Thailand increasing every year. This makes an opportunity to generate additional income for farmers by increasing their wheat planting area. Therefore, the potential areas for the production of wheat that are currently cultivated were analyzed in order to increase the production of wheat to meet the market demand. The study was conducted between November 2020 - May 2021 in 2 areas: Ban Thung Luang, Mae Win subdistrict, Mae Wang district, Chiang Mai province and Ban Sri Don Chai, Wiang Nuea subdistrict, Pai district, Mae Hong Son province. The research procedures included collection and preparation of primary and secondary databases consists of 1:50,000 scale topographic maps, slope maps, elevation map and a map showing the soil series covering 2 areas, specifying weighting and scoring criteria. Determined weighting and scoring criteria based on basic physical wheat needs. Analyzed the suitability of wheat cultivation areas through the process of geographic information system (GIS)  by overlay analysis using the GIS program. To determine the importance of each data layer analyzed, setting the weighting criteria and determined the suitability of the area for wheat cultivation into 4 levels: high, medium, low and unsuitable. It was found that Ban Thung Luang had moderately suitable area of ​​491 rais, low suitable area of ​​6 rais and unsuitable area of ​​970 rais and Ban Sri Don Chai had moderately suitable area of ​​1,584 rais and unsuitable area of 894 rais.