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Land suitability for coffee Abaya and Gelana

suitable for coffee production (Table 11). regions.
iii. Town proximity analysis was conducted for
3.1.7. Proximity constraints in coffee farming areas. Proximity to
Buffer analysis was used to identify optimal land for markets and transportation infrastructure enhances
coffee farming by creating buffer zones around constraints coffee farming efficiency and profitability by
such as towns, water bodies, and roads. Areas within 2 km lowering transport costs. In this study, areas within
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of towns, 10 m of main roads, and 5 m of rivers were 2 km of towns were excluded from suitability
excluded to avoid shading, disturbances, and waterlogging analysis to avoid shading effects that can limit
issues. The details for each analysis are as follows: sunlight availability for coffee plants (Figure 9). In
i. Road buffer analysis was conducted to assess Abaya, suitable areas are located in the northeastern,
constraints on coffee farming areas. Proximity central, southern, and eastern regions; while in
to roads is a key factor in land suitability, as it Gelana, they are located in the northeastern, eastern,
reduces transport costs and enhances profitability southwestern, and central regions.
by improving access to markets and processing
facilities. Road proximity affects coffee production 3.1.8. Overlaying and suitable sites
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suitability. To minimize disturbances including The AHP-weighted coffee suitability criteria were
dust, runoff, vibrations, and vehicular emissions integrated into ArcGIS to generate the final coffee
that could adversely affect growth and quality of suitability map (Figure 10). In the Abaya District, the
Arabica coffee, areas within 10 meters of roads northwestern, central, and southern regions are deemed
were excluded from consideration. In accordance highly suitable, while the eastern and southwestern
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with environmental planning guidelines, this buffer regions are marginally suitable, and the western region is
zone also improves worker safety and avoids land- not suitable for coffee production. In the Gelana District,
use conflicts. The sustainability and dependability the southwestern region is highly suitable, the central and
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of coffee cultivation near roads are improved by southeastern regions are moderately suitable, the northern
this barrier. In Abaya, suitable areas are located and eastern regions are marginally suitable, and the
in the northern, northwestern, southern, and northwestern region is not suitable for coffee production.
eastern regions; while in Gelana, they are located
in the southwestern, northern, and central regions 3.1.9. Socioeconomic determinants
(Figure 7). Figure 11 displays the monthly income distribution
ii. River buffer analysis was conducted to assess of 248 respondents in Abaya and 150 in Gelana:
constraints on coffee farming areas. Proximity 16.8 (67) earn <500 birr, 63.1% (251) earn between
to water sources is vital for coffee growth, as 500 and 5000 birr, and 20.1% (80) earn over 5000
it reduces irrigation costs and improves overall birr. Most respondents have low-to-moderate incomes,
yield. Figure 8 indicates that areas within 5 m of limiting investment in coffee production. Among 398
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rivers are unsuitable for coffee production due to respondents, 31.9% (127) earn their income from
risks of toxic gases and waterlogging. In the Abaya farming, with coffee serving as a primary source of
District, suitable areas are located in the northern, livelihood. Landholding sizes varied 9.3% (37) owned
central, southern, and eastern regions; while in the <1.5 ha plots, 48.5% (193) with 1.5 – 2.5 ha plots, 33.2%
Gelana District, suitable areas are located in the (132) with 2.5 – 3.5 ha plots, and 9% (36) with >3.5
southwestern, eastern, northeastern, and central ha plots (Figure 11). Overall, income levels and land

Table 11. Land suitability for coffee production in Abaya and Gelana Districts
Suitability class Abaya District Gelana District
Area (ha) Area (%) Area (ha) Area (%)
Highly suitable 417,671 19.63132657 81,677 5.137764839
Moderately suitable 916,105 43.05866682 239,017 15.03499319
Marginally suitable 10,557 0.496198957 1,137,589 71.55826935
Not suitable 783,241 36.81380765 131,455 8.268972623
Total 2,127,574 100 1,589,738 100

Volume 22 Issue 4 (2025) 165 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025190143