International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development

Agricultural sustainability in Nigeria's middle belt region faced mounting challenges from population growth, soil degradation, and inadequate data infrastructure, threatening achievement of Sustainable Development Goals related to food security and sustainable land management. This study employed integrated remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assess land capability for food production across 26,899 km² in Plateau State. Through systematic collection of 1,065 georeferenced soil samples and multi-criteria weighted overlay analysis, the study characterized the spatial variability in soil physicochemical properties including texture, pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Results indicated predominantly clayey soils (27.16% coverage) with significant textural heterogeneity spanning nine classes. Soil acidity affected 61.54% of the study area (pH 5.1-6.5), while organic matter content remained critically low across 61.62% of surveyed lands. The weighted overlay suitability analysis revealed that 55.6% of the region exhibited moderate agricultural suitability, with 34.19% classified as suitable and 9.47% as highly to very highly suitable. Only 0.74% proved least suitable for cultivation. Spatial distribution patterns demonstrated strong geological control on soil properties, with crystalline basement rocks producing sandy-textured soils in northern zones, while sedimentary formations in southern areas generated finer textures. These findings provided crucial baseline data for precision agriculture initiatives and evidence-based policy formulation toward enhanced food security, directly supporting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) in north central Nigeria.