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. Yams prefers sandy loam soils, while Baringo is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Baringo receives approximately 700 mm/year — well below Yams's minimum of 1200 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Yams is the #90 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Baringo County. Yams's full potential is about 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Baringo's 31/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 2,713 kg/acre (~KES 217,040/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Baringo's soil: Sesame (Simsim), Finger Millet, and Groundnuts — each scores higher on the same soil.