Page 159 - AJWEP-22-4

Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution. Vol. 22, No. 4 (2025), pp. 151-186.
doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025190143

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Exploring optimal land suitability for coffee production
in Abaya and Gelana Districts, West Guji Zone, Oromia,

Southern Ethiopia

Teshome Deresse * , Terefe Tolessa , and Siraj Mamo 3
1
2
1 Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Natural and Computational Science, Bule Hora University,
Bule Hora, Ethiopia
2 Department of Disaster Risk Management and Sustainable Development, School of Natural Resource, Ambo University,
Ambo, Ethiopia
3 Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Science, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia
*Corresponding author: Teshome Deresse (teshome.deresse@bhu.edu.et)

Received: May 06, 2025; Revised: June 16, 2025; Accepted: June 26, 2025; Published online: July 24, 2025

Abstract: Coffee production in Abaya and Gelana needs précis land mapping amid and climate issues to increase
sustainable yields. This study aimed to analyze optimal land suitability for coffee production in Abaya and Gelana
Districts using Geographical Information System, Remote Sensing, and Analytical Hierarchy Process-based
techniques. A mixed-methods approach was adopted using an explanatory sequential research design, combining
quantitative analysis of questionnaires from 398 respondents with qualitative insights from interviews. The coffee
suitability map areas were classified as highly (S1), moderately (S2), or marginally suitable (S3) based on weighted
factors in accordance with Food and Agriculture Organization guidelines. In the Abaya District, 19.6% of the land
is highly suitable, 43% moderately suitable, and 0.49% marginally suitable for coffee production. In the Gelana
District, 5.1% of land is highly suitable, 15% moderately suitable, and 71.5% marginally suitable. Cross-tabulation
results indicated that climate (99.07%), soil fertility (97.5%), and infrastructure (98.59%) are the main determinants
of coffee land suitability, with economic factors being secondary. The results are supported by focus group
discussions and key informant interviews, which suggest that the community is concerned about inadequate roads
restricting access to markets and support services, fluctuating rainfall interfering with planting, and deteriorating
soil fertility affecting production. The study identified optimal coffee-suitable land in the northern, central, and
southern parts of the Abaya District and in the southwest and northwest parts of the Gelana District. The Abaya
District has more highly suitable land for coffee, supporting larger-scale farming, while the Gelana District offers
smaller but viable areas for localized production. To enhance productivity in these areas, the study recommends
advancing infrastructure, adopting sustainable practices, and addressing economic and technological challenges.

Keywords: Abaya District; Coffee production; Gelana District; Land suitability; Optimal

1. Introduction impacting millions of farmers’ livelihoods and the
country’s economy. Moreover, the country has
1,2
Ethiopia is recognized as the origin of Arabica coffee substantial potential to increase coffee production due to
and is a major supplier in the global coffee market, its ideal growing conditions suitable altitudes, moderate

Volume 22 Issue 4 (2025) 151 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025190143