Growing Yams in Baringo

Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile

Baringo County is a challenging environment for Yams (soil-match score 31/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.22 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.5 band Yams prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet Yams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Yams, which favours sandy loam. Baringo receives approximately 700 mm/year — well below Yams's minimum of 1200 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Yams crop here can gross roughly KES 480,000 per acre.