Growing Cassava in Bungoma
Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile
Yes — Bungoma is well suited to Cassava. Bungoma's soil (pH 5.56, slightly acidic) gives Cassava a suitability score of 81/100. Match fertilizer to Bungoma's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bungoma County is well suited to Cassava, scoring 81/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.56 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–7 band Cassava prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.12 g/kg), phosphorus (15.7 mg/kg) and potassium (161 mg/kg) all meet Cassava's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cassava prefers sandy soils, while Bungoma is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cassava is the #22 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bungoma County. At current prices (about KES 15/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cassava crop here can gross roughly KES 90,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bungoma soil | Cassava needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.56 | 4.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.12 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 15.7 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 161 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,400 mm | 500–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 0–1,400 m | High |
Planting calendar for Bungoma
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· August–October
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Bungoma's nitrogen reads 1.12 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Cassava is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Bungoma
Varieties suited to Bungoma's 1,500 m altitude and 1,400 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 cassava varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag