Land Capability Classification (LCC)

The LCC is one of a number of interpretive groupings made primarily for agricultural purposes. The principles of LCC are the following: (1) areas of land are put into classes ranging from best (Class I) to worst (Class VIII), (2) land allocated to a particular capability class has the potential for the use specified for that class and for all classes below it, (3) the perspective is one of a land use hierarchy: some land uses are more desirable than others (cultivation is preferable to pastures, pastures preferable to woodland etc.), (4) allocation into a particular capability class is based on limitations of the land or restrictions on the range of uses or the management/conservation practices needed for the particular use, (5) commonly considered limitations are erosion hazard, excess water, depth, stoniness, climatic limitations, (6) there is a strong bias towards conservation needs (for protection against erosion). The LCC assumes economic criteria in its classification but not explicitly and a fairly high standard of management, using the technical means, capital resources and management skills of the ‘better farmer’ as the basis for classification. LCC’s main advantages is that it offers a simple, flexible and rapid ranking of land according to the range of uses it can be put into, and can be applied for planning of diverse farms, but also for village land reorganization or new land settlement. LCC does not necessarily indicate what is the best use for the land nor the most profitable. It does not consider criteria of location, accessibility etc., and cannot classify land adequately for uses other than arable. It is also unable to consider adequately climatic limitations owing to considerable variations between crops and cultivars, and the kind of climatic hazards.