Modelling the land production potential for maize in north-west Cameroon using GIS

A crop growth model is integrated with a geographical information system (GIS) in order to predict the rainfed maize production potentials in the North-West Province of Cameroon at three hierarchically ordered production levels. The modelling is designed to use generalised crop phenology, statistical climatic averages, and soil information made available by a detailed reconnaissance soil sun’ey. Calculation of the production potential is performed at the level of individual raster cells and the results can be displayed on a digital elevation model (DEM), permitting a visual interpretation of the relations between physiography and lnaize performance. A conlbined application of a crop growth model and GIS can be a very useful tool in resource mapping and agricultural planning at regional scale.