SUITABILITY OF THE APURÍMAC TERRITORY FOR POTATO CULTIVATION

Abstract

The expansion of an outstanding crop demands the evaluation of the aptitude of the territory. Given the importance of potato cultivation in Apurímac, six criteria (mean temperature, annual rainfall, elevation, land slope, land cover and use, and soil pH) were selected to assess the agroecological aptitude of the territory; for which, the aptitude thresholds of the criteria were established, and their respective maps were generated. Also, based on expert consultation and the Analytical Hierarchy Process, the importance of the criteria was weighed. Then, the suitability map of the territory for potato cultivation was generated by weighted superimposition of the criteria maps. The temperature was the most important criterion for potato cultivation, while the slope of the land was the least important. In Apurímac, 2,4 % (505.18 km2) of the territory presented a ‘Highly adequate’ aptitude for potato cultivation. At the province level, Chincheros (303.40 km2), Andahuaylas (81.75 km2) and Aymares (72.80 km2) present the largest areas with ‘Highly adequate’ aptitude. The study will provide support for decision-making regarding potato agricultural expansion and territorial planning in Apurímac