Growing Cassava in Baringo

Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile

Baringo County is well suited to Cassava, scoring 90/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.22 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–7 band Cassava prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet Cassava's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cassava prefers sandy soils, while Baringo is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 15/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cassava crop here can gross roughly KES 60,000 per acre.

90Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientBaringo soilCassava needsStatus
pH6.224.57OK
Nitrogen1.32 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.4 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium212 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Stem Cutting Planting
Month 2
Weeding & Pest Monitoring
Month 3
Growth Monitoring

Short Rains

Month 1
Weeding & Mound Formation
Month 2
Pest & Disease Scouting
Month 3
Growth Monitoring

Dry Season

Month 1
Harvesting (12+ months from planting)
Month 2
Processing & Storage
Month 3
Land Preparation for next crop

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Cassava is low-input. Excessive N causes leafy growth at expense of tubers.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

TajirikaCoastal/Dryland
KALRO · 300-365 days · 4–6 tons/acre
High yielding; tolerant to cassava mosaic disease.
ShibeCoastal/Medium
KALRO · 270-330 days · 3–5 tons/acre
Sweet variety; low cyanide content; good for table use.

Economics

Market priceKES 15/kg
Expected yield4,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 60,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag