Land suitability evaluation is the fitness of a given tract of land based on its potential for a defined use. The objective of this study was to evaluate land suitability evaluation of Zarinshahr and Mobarakeh area located Isfahan province using FAO approach and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Quantitative evaluation was carried out after the qualitative evaluation. The economical studies included collecting the economical data, comparison of inputs and outputs and analysis of gross income. Potential yield was calculated using the method proposed by F.A.O. The result of potential yield analysis showed that the potential yields were determined 9.01 and 11.01 t/ha for wheat and rice production, respectively. The quantitative land evaluation and their 0.338) for the selection of the best land use, followed by soil suitability (priority = 0.228) and the least importance was contributed to market (priority = 0.024). It was found for all the matrices, the inconsistency ratio was less than 10 percent. When RI 0.1, it is considered to be acceptable. This indicates that decision makers are exhibiting coherent judgement in specifying the pair-wise comparison of the criteria or alternatives. From three alternative land uses studied, greenhouse was the most appropriate on consideration of all seven factors, then cultivation of wheat and rice, respectively. Climate suitability and gross income were identified the major factors affecting the suitability for greenhouse. The cultivation of rice is not recommended in the study area, because of negative environmental impact including soil physical destruction, non-efficient water consuming, arising of ground water surface and increasing soil salinity. Key words : Land evaluation, analytical hierarchy process, land suitability, Zarinshahr and Mobarakeh.
