Site-suitability Analysis for Turmeric in Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, India, using Analytical Hierarchical Process and Weighted Overlay Analysis:A Comparative Approach

India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.). The Lakadong variety of turmeric is endemic to Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, India. It is considered as the best quality turmeric containing 7.5% curcumin, which is about three times higher than the other varieties (2–3%). This study identifies potential sites for turmeric cultivation in Jaintia Hills using geospatial techniques, viz. analytical hierarchical process (AHP) and weighted overlay analysis (WOA). WOA identified a total of 162,263.70 ha suitable for the expansion of Lakadong variety of turmeric in Jaintia Hills, of which 18% was highly suitable, 31% moderately suitable and 32% was marginally suitable. In the case of AHP, 21% area was found to be highly suitable, 25% moderately suitable and 45% marginally suitable.