Optimizing Agricultural Planning through Land Suitability Mapping: A Case Study on Patchouli in Aceh Jaya

Land suitability is a critical factor in optimizing agricultural productivity and sustainability. This study evaluates the biophysical suitability of land for patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) cultivation in Aceh Jaya, Indonesia, using spatial analysis techniques. The objective was to classify land into suitability categories and identify priority areas for development. Five biophysical parameters—soil type, rainfall, slope, elevation, and land use—were analyzed using a Geographic Information System (GIS), specifically through the union overlay function in ArcGIS 10.5. Each parameter was classified into four suitability levels (S1–N), and then combined into a composite land suitability map. The results revealed that 1,404.94 Ha were classified as very suitable (S1), 92,769.33 Ha as moderately suitable (S2), 251,917.95 Ha as marginally suitable (S3), and 40,353.25 Ha as not suitable (N). The most suitable areas were concentrated in Sampoiniet sub-district, particularly within mixed dryland–shrub farming zones. These spatial insights provide a valuable foundation for land use planning and crop zoning in the region. The study demonstrates that GIS-based land evaluation is an effective approach to support sustainable agricultural expansion, and it can be adapted to other crops and contexts with similar geographic challenges