A land evaluation model was built which can make huge amounts of expert knowledge readily available to decision makers in order to assess land suitability for maize in the Eastern Nile delta. A comprehensive database was compiled on the target area by conducting a thorough literature review, field work and by analysing remote sensing images. Production potentials for maize were calculated for the different land units of the target area. Sensitivity analysis allowed to pinpoint production constraints and indicated possible ways to optimize maize production.
As the importance of maize as a food component is increasing, demand has risen and lateral expansion of the maize acreage is necessary. Identification of opportunities and major limitations to this crop offer the possibility to optimise land use and increase production.