GIS-AHP Based Site Suitability Analysis for Establishing a Mega Food Park in Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, India
J. Karpagam *
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Kaveri University, Hyderabad, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In India, 30–40% of fruits and vegetables are lost due to inadequate transportation, storage, and post-harvest infrastructure, highlighting the need for efficient agri-logistics systems. This study aimed to identify suitable locations for establishing a Mega Food Park in the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region, Andhra Pradesh, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) integrated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Spatial datasets, including slope (SRTM DEM), road and railway networks (OpenStreetMap), land use/land cover (Sentinel-2), and proximity to Agricultural Produce Market Centres, were analysed using weighted overlay techniques in QGIS. The AHP-derived weights showed acceptable consistency (CR = 0.039). The results indicated that 60–65% of the area falls within highly suitable slope classes (0–5%). Optimal sites were located within 0–2 km of major roads and 0–5 km of railway lines, with highly suitable zones concentrated along the NH-16 corridor, particularly in the Anakapalle–Sabbavaram and Duvvada regions. Anakapalle recorded the highest suitability (4.5/5), while hilly and remote areas were unsuitable. The findings highlight the importance of multimodal connectivity and proximity to peri-urban agricultural areas in enhancing supply-chain efficiency, reducing post-harvest losses, and supporting sustainable agro-industrial development.
Keywords: GIS-AHP, mega food park, multi-criteria decision analysis, weighted overlay analysis, road proximity, railway connectivity, agricultural market proximity, land use/land cover