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Mapping Land Suitability for Agriculture in Malawi

Population growth, climate sensitivity, and edaphic properties are important factors that influence decision‐making and risk mitigation for agricultural production. Within the agricultural sector in Malawi, continuous cropping without the use of long‐term sustainable strategies and frequent cultivation on marginal lands have resulted in continually declining soil fertility. Improving soil quality of marginal lands using innovative technologies is imperative for increasing agricultural productivity and improving food security. Here, we propose an ensemble approach to map agricultural land suitability and identify the distribution of marginal land in Malawi. Quantitative data available for eight soil and terrain factors were rated individually, and five distinct models were applied to generate a spatial distribution map of land suitability. The results indicate that highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable, and unsuitable agricultural areas account for 8·2%, 24·1%, 28·0%, and 39·7% of the total land area, respectively. The majority of suitable lands are currently used for agriculture, but more than half (57·4%) of Malawi's total cropland exists on marginally suitable or unsuitable land categories and is likely a candidate for rehabilitation through sustainable agricultural practices. The methods and products herein will be valuable resources for effectively managing and improving Malawi's agricultural lands for increasing food security. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.