ASSESSMENT OF THE SUITABILITY OF LAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SWINE FARMING AT A REGIONAL SCALE IN YUCATÁN, MEXICO

Abstract

Background. Pig farms are an important economic activity in the state of Yucatán, but they cause great environmental damage, such as groundwater contamination, air pollution, and soil degradation, which together affect both health and economy of local populations. Objective: The aim of this work was to spatially identify the surface suitable for the establishment of pig farms in the state of Yucatán where damage to the environment and human health are not a serious problem. Methodology: For the elaboration of the cartographic model, four maps were used as inputs that represent the evaluation variables, they are: altitude, karst depressions, soils and duration of the rainy season. They were converted to raster formats and handled in a geographic information system. Five classes of territorial aptitude for the establishment of pig farms were defined, 1 = very low; 2 = low; 3 = mean; 4 = discharge; and 5 = very high. The index and superposition method were used to integrate the four variables in a territorial aptitude model. To assign weights to each variable, a multi-criteria decision technique called "analytical hierarchies’ method" was used. Results: The surface area of the territory of the state of Yucatán according to the suitability classes for the establishment of pig farms was: a very low with 21%; low with 50%; medium with 15%; high with 6%; and the very high zone with 8%. The areas of high and very high suitability for the establishment of pig farms are located in the south of the state. Implications: the map of the suitability for the establishment of pig farms on a regional scale will be an important input for updating the "program of ecological land management" of the state of Yucatan. However, due to the particularities of the karst, it is very necessary to carry the analysis to scales greater than 1:50 000 for the development of specific pig projects. Conclusions: The land evaluation model for the establishment of pig farms in the state of Yucatán on a regional scale, allows spatially identifying suitable and highly suitable areas for such activity. The most suitable territories are located in the south of the state, so it would be recommended that the growth of pig farming be those territories after consulting with the native populations.