GIS-Based Image Processing for Farmland Site Selection: An Eastern Himalayan Region Perspective

The selection of farming sites plays a very important role in determining the productivity of a specified farm. Potential geographic locations in reproducing the species designated by geographical indicators of a particular crop can be identified by the Geographic Information System (GIS) enhanced by efficient image processing tools and techniques for better results aiding in effective and sustainable selection of farmlands. Images captured by satellites are acquired and processed through image processing techniques that can display linear networks and spatial relationships like topography consisting of agricultural fields and streams. Surrounded by diverse flora and fauna and thick forest cover the need for proper farmland site selection for the Eastern Himalayan region is discussed as most of the areas are landlocked with high altitudes and surrounded by rough terrains also, feasibility study on selecting farming sites for saffron, a spice obtained from the flower of Crocus sativus, also known as the “saffron crocus” has been carried out along with the successful pilot projects achieved in some parts of the Eastern Himalayan region.