Spatial information for determination of irrigable lands in Eastern Rwanda

A B ST R A C T The present study aimed to map irrigable lands in Bugesera Agro Ecological Zone (AEZ) in the Eastern Province of Rwanda, using spatial information’s. The related Concerns were to determine the suitable area for irrigation that can include all different parameters which influence irrigation. The methodological approach consisted of processing Aster Landsat and DEM; gathered by Radar Satellite acquired at CGIS/NUR, using appropriate packagessoftware ILWIS 3.3, Erdas8.7 and ArcGIS 9.2. Satellite image was used to determine land use and land cover classification of the study area and the DEM to determine slope classification. The results showed maps that are describing different type of layers classified according to purpose of irrigation, slope, water proximity, percentage of clay and sand and type of land use. Those maps helped to produce a model design that conducts us to determine the most suitable area for irrigation. The model designed would be used as a planning tool to optimize agriculture in the Eastern Region of Rwanda.