Application of spatial information observations to the assessment of irrigable land potential in the N'djili River watershed

The Democratic Republic of Congo has land and water resources that could ensure food security for its population. However, the country continues to import most of its food. The N'djili River basin has significant potential in terms of water resources, covering an area of over 2000 km². Unfortunately, this watershed, like the Kinshasa region, is facing rapid population growth and accelerated urbanization, putting significant pressure on available water resources. Additionally, climate change significantly impacts water availability in the region, as agriculture relies on precipitation. Irrigation can be an effective solution to ensure sufficient and stable food production while preserving the water resources of the N'djili River basin. It is therefore important to assess the potential for irrigable land in this region to identify the most suitable areas for implementing efficient and sustainable irrigation systems. The use of remote sensing and geographic information systems is essential. These approaches allow the use of satellite images as well as spatial data on soil and topography to assess the irrigation potential of a given area. The results of this study include land suitability maps for irrigation, considering various factors such as land use, slope, river proximity, soil texture, soil depth, soil type, and drainage. A comprehensive irrigation suitability map, combining all these factors, was also produced. This investigation provides insights into the potential for irrigable land in the N'djili River basin of the Democratic Republic of Congo.