Which factors matter most in land consolidation block planning? An analytic hierarchy process approach to setting priorities.

Abstract

Land consolidation is a comprehensive and challenging process in which block boundaries integrate parcels within natural and infrastructural boundaries such as roads, irrigation systems, and drainage networks, acting as a core framework. Effective block design is of critical importance, as it affects the long-term usability and productivity of agricultural parcels. In this study, the criteria effective in block planning were determined using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and an attempt was made to determine the priority order of the criteria. The criteria affecting block planning in the study were determined as land slope and topography, soil properties and fertility, climatic conditions, water resources and irrigation facilities, current ownership structure (shareholding), road planning and transportation, environmental and ecological factors, social and economic factors, plant species and agricultural activities, infrastructure and technological facilities, fixed facilities, parcel structure, and existence of projects made or to be made by the investor institutions or organizations. It was determined that the most important of these was the “existence of fixed facilities” criterion. Determining the priority order of the criteria used in block planning also provides the opportunity to use the obtained results in GIS.