Growing Potato in Bungoma
Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile
Yes — Bungoma is well suited to Potato. Bungoma's soil (pH 5.56, slightly acidic) gives Potato a suitability score of 86/100. Match fertilizer to Bungoma's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bungoma County is well suited to Potato, scoring 86/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.56 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.8–6.5 band Potato prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 1.12 g/kg, P 15.7 mg/kg, K 161 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Potato prefers sandy loam soils, while Bungoma is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Potato is the #16 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bungoma County. At current prices (about KES 38/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Potato crop here can gross roughly KES 304,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bungoma soil | Potato needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.56 | 4.8–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.12 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 15.7 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 161 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,400 mm | 700–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 1,500–3,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Bungoma
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· August–October
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Bungoma's nitrogen (1.12 g/kg) is 93% of the 1.2 g/kg Potato needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Bungoma
6 potato varieties are rated for Bungoma's altitude (1,500 m) and rainfall (1,400 mm):
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag