Growing Groundnuts in Bomet
Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile
Yes — Bomet is well suited to Groundnuts. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Groundnuts a suitability score of 81/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bomet County is well suited to Groundnuts, scoring 81/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Groundnuts prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Groundnuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Groundnuts prefers sandy soils, while Bomet is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Groundnuts is the #36 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bomet County. At current prices (about KES 90/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Groundnuts crop here can gross roughly KES 45,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bomet soil | Groundnuts needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.02 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.38 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 237 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 500–1,400 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 0–1,800 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Bomet's nitrogen reads 1.38 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Groundnuts is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Bomet
Varieties suited to Bomet's 1,900 m altitude and 1,500 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 groundnuts varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag