Land Suitability Evaluation Study for Oil Palm (Elais Guineensis) and Rubber (Hevea Brasiliensis) Cultivation in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

This study was done in Esan North East LGA of Edo Nigeria to assess the suitability of the LGA for oil palm and rubber cultivation. Methodology involved rigid grid systematic soil survey at a semi-detailed scale, which produced eight (8) mapping units. Suitable guidelines specific for each crop were used in establishing suitability of the land for oil palm and rubber. The result revealed that mapping units 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 (82.31%) were marginally suitable (S3) for oil palm and rubber by limitation method; marginally suitable for oil palm (S3) but moderately suitable (S2) for rubber by parametric method. Mapping unit 2 (5.64%) was marginally suitable (S3) for oil palm but not suitable (N) for rubber by both methods; mapping unit 8 (4.52%) was marginally suitable (S3) by both methods; mapping unit 5 (7.52%) was not suitable (N) for oil palm by both methods, marginally suitable (S3) by limitation method, and moderately suitable (S2) by parametric method for rubber cultivation. Major limitation to cultivation of oil palm and rubber in the study area is climate, therefore, management practices such as supplementary irrigation; even though it is expensive would solve the challenge of moisture stress in the study area.