Growing Yams in Bomet
Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile
Yes — Bomet is well suited to Yams. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Yams a suitability score of 84/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bomet County is well suited to Yams, scoring 84/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.5 band Yams prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Yams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Yams prefers sandy loam soils, while Bomet is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Yams is the #31 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bomet County. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 7,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Yams crop here can gross roughly KES 560,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bomet soil | Yams needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.02 | 5.5–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.38 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 237 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 1,200–1,800 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 0–1,800 m | High |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag