ShambaIQ blog

Data-driven farming guides, county soil reports, and seasonal advice. Every article uses real 30m precision satellite soil data covering all 47 Kenyan counties.

Soil health August 2026 8 min read

The cheapest way to fix acidic soil in Kenya

Agricultural lime vs dolomite vs wood ash: which is cheapest per pH unit gained in Kenya? Real prices, application rates, and which 22 counties need it most. Data-driven guide.

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Crop health July 2026 7 min read

Yellow maize leaves? Here's exactly what your soil is missing

Yellow maize leaves can mean nitrogen, iron, zinc, or magnesium deficiency — each needs a different fix. Diagnose by leaf pattern, confirm with soil data, fix with the right fertilizer.

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Fertilizer guides July 2026 9 min read

Is CAN the best top-dressing fertilizer in Kenya?

Most Kenyan farmers top-dress with CAN out of habit. It's a good default on acidic soils, but Urea is cheaper per unit of nitrogen and Ammonium Sulphate fixes hidden sulfur gaps. Learn when to use which.

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Fertilizer guides July 2026 6 min read

How much fertilizer per acre? A Kenya crop-by-crop calculator

Exact fertilizer quantities per acre for 105 Kenyan crops. DAP bags at planting, CAN top-dressing rates, KES cost at subsidised and commercial prices. Stop guessing.

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County farming guides July 2026 7 min read

Nakuru vs Uasin Gishu: which county is best for wheat?

Data-driven comparison of Nakuru and Uasin Gishu for wheat production. Soil pH, phosphorus levels, rainfall reliability, and yield potential — side by side from precision soil mapping data.

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County farming guides July 2026 10 min read

Farming in semi-arid Kenya: Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui guide

Complete guide to farming in Kenya's semi-arid counties. Drought-tolerant crop selection, water harvesting, cover crops, and soil organic matter strategies for Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui.

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Fertilizer guides July 2026 8 min read

Kakamega soil: why Western Kenya needs Mavuno, not DAP

Kakamega's highly leached acidic soils make DAP inefficient. See the data behind why Mavuno outperforms standard fertilizers in Western Kenya — with savings per acre.

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County farming guides July 2026 7 min read

Precision bean cultivation in Kakamega: double your harvests

Kakamega leached acidic soils need Rhizobium inoculant to fix nitrogen naturally. Rock phosphate vs DAP at planting, skipping urea entirely, and certified bean variety rankings.

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County farming guides June 2026 8 min read

Dairy farming in Nandi: integrating fodder crops and organic manures

Nandi red clay loam soils for fodder crops. Rhodes grass, Napier, and silage maize fertilizer guide. Cow dung vs chicken manure NPK comparison and organic dairy profitability.

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Soil health June 2026 8 min read

Building soil organic matter in Machakos: a dryland restoration guide

Machakos dryland alfisols have organic carbon below 1.2%. Cover cropping with pigeon peas and cowpeas, composting strategy, and moisture retention techniques for semi-arid Kenya.

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Soil health June 2026 9 min read

Acidic soil treatment: restoring crop vitality in Meru and Nyeri

Meru and Nyeri have volcanic soils below pH 5.0 that lock out NPK. Dolomitic vs calcitic lime comparison, phosphorus fixation chemistry explained, and lime application calculator.

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County farming guides June 2026 10 min read

Sweet potato farming in Homa Bay: the complete Lake Victoria shore guide

Homa Bay sweet potato guide: sandy-loam Lake Victoria soils, Mavuno Sweet Potato high-K fertilizer, orange-fleshed variety selection, and maize rotation scheduling. Science-backed.

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County farming guides June 2026 8 min read

High-yield onion farming in Kajiado: a drylands goldmine

Kajiado onion farming: alkaline soils (pH >7.5) cause zinc and iron deficiencies. Ammonium sulfate soil acidification, drip irrigation scheduling, and Jere onion variety guide.

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County farming guides June 2026 8 min read

Tomato farming in Kirinyaga: maximizing yields in Mwea's black cotton soils

Kirinyaga tomato guide: black cotton soils of Mwea block calcium absorption. CAN and Calcium Nitrate top-dressing to prevent blossom end rot, legume rotation, and yield targets.

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County farming guides June 2026 8 min read

Uasin Gishu wheat guide: data-driven yield maximization

Uasin Gishu wheat farming: clay loams in Eldoret and Moiben with low phosphorus. High-P planting compound recommendations, local stockist pricing, and yield targets.

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Fertilizer guides June 2026 10 min read

DAP vs CAN vs NPK: which fertilizer does your farm need?

Full DAP vs CAN vs NPK comparison: nutrient content, when to use each, application rates, subsidised vs commercial prices in Kenya. Make the right choice for your soil.

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Soil health June 2026 8 min read

Why your soil is acidic — and what to do about it

22 Kenyan counties have acidic soil (pH below 5.5). Learn why, which counties are affected, and the cheapest way to fix it with agricultural lime. Free county data.

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County farming guides June 2026 7 min read

Cabbage farming in Kiambu: a high-yield guide for highland soils

Kiambu cabbage farming guide: acidic highland soils in Limuru and Githunguri. Dolomitic lime before planting, clubroot prevention, spacing, and CAN top-dressing schedule.

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Crop guides June 2026 11 min read

The complete maize farming guide for Kenya

Complete maize farming guide: optimal soil pH, best counties ranked by suitability, certified seed varieties, fertilizer budget. Data for all 47 Kenyan counties.

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County farming guides June 2026 8 min read

Nakuru county maize guide: maximize yields this season

Nakuru maize farming guide: pH 6.0–6.8 loam soils in Rongai, Njoro, Molo. Basal NPK 23:21:0 or DAP + CAN top-dressing plan, certified varieties, and KES budget per acre.

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Soil reports June 2026 9 min read

2026 Kenya soil health report: all 47 counties ranked

We ranked every Kenyan county by soil health using precision soil mapping 30m satellite data. See your county's pH, nitrogen, and phosphorus scores. Free data for all 47 counties.

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Seasonal guides February 2026 9 min read

Long rains 2026: what to plant this season in your county

County-by-county planting guide for Kenya's 2026 long rains season. Optimal crops by soil type, agroecological zone, and rainfall forecast. Updated with climate data.

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Guide July 2026 6 min read

Solar irrigation pumps in Kenya: A guide for smallholders

Discover how solar irrigation pumps in Kenya can transform your farm productivity, eliminate fuel costs, and secure high yields for tomatoes and vegetables.

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Guide July 2026 6 min read

Drip irrigation in Kenya: Cost and setup guide

Discover how drip irrigation in Kenya can transform your small farm. This guide covers typical setup costs, a step-by-step installation process, and the benefits of precision watering for increased yields and reduced water usage.

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Guide July 2026 6 min read

Sorghum farming in arid regions of Kenya

A complete agronomic guide to sorghum farming in arid regions of Kenya, covering soil prep, certified seeds, fertilizer budgets, and market links.

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Guide July 2026 6 min read

A complete guide to cassava farming in Kenya

Learn how to optimize your cassava farming in Kenya with disease-resistant varieties, proper soil preparation, and post-harvest value addition.

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Guide July 2026 6 min read

Climate-smart agriculture in Kenya for smallholders

Discover how climate-smart agriculture in Kenya helps smallholders overcome dry spells, optimize soil pH, and double yields with precision agronomy.

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Fertilizer June 2026 6 min read

Reducing fertilizer costs in Kenya using soil data

Achieving high crop yields while reducing fertilizer costs in Kenya has become the ultimate challenge for modern smallholders, know your soil and your farm.

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Guide June 2026 6 min read

Spinach and Kale Farming in Kenya: Urban and Peri-Urban Guide

Commercial kale and spinach farming in Kenya has become one of the most profitable agricultural ventures for urban and peri-urban smallholders. High d

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Guide June 2026 6 min read

Controlling fall armyworm in Kenya: Yield Guide

Master controlling fall armyworm in Kenya. Discover expert tips on soil health, integrated pest management, and cost-effective budgets for a successful maize harvest.

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Guide June 2026 6 min read

A profitable guide for mushroom farming in Kenya

A complete agronomic guide to profitable indoor mushroom farming in Kenya. Learn about Oyster and Button varieties, substrate sterilization, and KES budgets.

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Guide June 2026 6 min read

Mushroom farming in Kenya: Profitable indoor growing guide

Discover how to start a highly profitable mushroom farming business. This guide covers substrate sterilization, climate control, and production budgets.

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Guide June 2026 6 min read

Fish farming in Kenya: Tilapia pond setup and management

Discover expert guide on tilapia fish farming in Kenya. Learn proper site selection, pond construction, feeding regimes, and one-acre aquaculture budget.

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Guide June 2026 6 min read

Chicken Farming in Kenya: Feed, Housing and Disease Control

# Chicken farming in Kenya: Feed, housing and disease control > **Key Takeaways** > - Proper housing with 2 square feet per bird prevents respiratory

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Guide June 2026 6 min read

Managing potato blight in Kenya

Discover scientific strategies for managing potato blight in Kenya. Learn how soil health, certified seeds, and precise fungicide application secure yields.

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Guide June 2026 6 min read

Organic tomato pest control in Kenya: Yield guide

Discover the ultimate guide to organic tomato pest control in Kenya. Learn how to manage Tuta absoluta, whiteflies, and mites naturally while saving costs.

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Guide June 2026 6 min read

Fertilizer Beans Kenya: Ultimate Yield Guide

Discover the best fertilizer beans Kenya farmers use to triple yields. Learn about soil pH, Sympal, DAP, liming, and step-by-step application.

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Guide June 2026 6 min read

Guide to Fertilizer Beans Kenya Yield Success

Maximize your bean yields in Kenya with our expert guide on fertilizer application, soil pH management, and a detailed 1-acre production budget.

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Guide May 2026 6 min read

Bean farming in Kenya: The Ultimate yield guide

Maximize your beans harvest in Kenya with our expert guide on fertilizer application, soil pH, and KES production budgets for high-yielding beans farming.

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Guide May 2026 6 min read

How to Improve Maize Yield in Kenya Through Soil Testing

**Q: Why is soil testing maize Kenya farms so critical?**" (10) * *FAQ 1 Answer*: "...By prioritizing **soil testing maize Kenya** growers c

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