Earth and Planetary Science

Geophysical Evaluation of Agricultural Potential of Orlu and Environs Using Landsat Imagery

Chukwuebuka N. Onwubuariri

Department of Physics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, 440101, Nigeria

Chidimma O. Ikeme

Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 340110, Nigeria

Lebe A. Nnanna

Department of Physics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, 440101, Nigeria

Boniface I. Ijeh

Department of Physics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, 440101, Nigeria

Chidiebere C. Agoha

Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 340110, Nigeria

Cynthia C. Nwaeju

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerekoko, Delta State, 332105, Nigeria

Obinna C. Dinneya

Department of Physics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, 440101, Nigeria

Festus U. Nwaneho

Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 340110, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/eps.v2i2.844

Received: 19 April 2023; Revised: 30 May 2023; Accepted: 5 June 2023; Published Online: 13 June 2023

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Abstract

The scarcity of food afflicting third-world countries, particularly Nigeria, case study Orlu zone, Imo State, Nigeria, is intolerable, given the high rate of environmental degradation in the form of erosions, nation’s poor economic state, insecurity, and extremely low per capita income of citizens, motivated this research. This research is tailored to a possible approach to combating the threat of food insecurity via geophysical investigation of agricultural potential areas and as well help in managing food insecurity ravaging the area, particularly in this post-COVID lockdown era. In this research, a geophysical approach—Landsat imagery and interpretation—was used to identify areas with high agricultural yielding potentials and how to exploit them for bumper agricultural harvests to sustain livelihood and alleviate the food crisis and food inflation ravaging the zone. Within the study area, the following data were collected: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) map, lineament map and drainage pattern map. They were interpreted, and areas with high agricultural yield potentials were mapped. Band ratios (3/4, 4/2, 3/1, 5/4) were generated to reduce the effects of shadowing and as well improve the features present. The NDVI values that indicate soil viability, generated within the study area range from –0.22 to 0.51.

Keywords: Agriculture, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Lineaments, Drainage, Food

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