Growing Pyrethrum in Bomet

Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Bomet is well suited to Pyrethrum. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Pyrethrum a suitability score of 92/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Bomet County is well suited to Pyrethrum, scoring 92/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–6.5 band Pyrethrum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Pyrethrum's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Pyrethrum, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pyrethrum is the #6 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bomet County. At current prices (about KES 280/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pyrethrum crop here can gross roughly KES 140,000 per acre.

92Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBomet soilPyrethrum needsStatus
pH6.0256.5OK
Nitrogen1.38 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.6 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium237 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,500 mm900–1,500 mmOK
Altitude1,900 m1,800–3,000 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4–6 after planting
Instruction
One application at vegetative stage to support flower production.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

P4Highland
Pyrethrum Board of Kenya · 180-240 days · 150–250 kg/acre
High pyrethrin content; suited to highland conditions.
Clone 22Highland
Pyrethrum Board of Kenya · 180-240 days · 200–300 kg/acre
High yielding clone; good flower production.

Economics

Market priceKES 280/kg
Expected yield 500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 140,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag