Growing Turmeric in Bungoma

Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile

Bungoma County is a solid choice for Turmeric, with a soil-match score of 73/100. Local soils average pH 5.56 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Turmeric 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. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Turmeric, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Turmeric crop here can gross roughly KES 480,000 per acre.

73Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBungoma soilTurmeric needsStatus
pH5.565.57.5OK
Nitrogen1.12 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus15.7 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium161 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,400 mm1,000–2,000 mmOK
Altitude1,500 m0–1,500 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Rhizome Planting & Basal
Month 2
Earthing Up & Top Dressing
Month 3
Rhizome Bulking

Short Rains

Month 1
Rhizome Planting & Basal
Month 2
Earthing Up & Top Dressing
Month 3
Rhizome Bulking

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 6 and at rhizome bulking
Instruction
Earth up and top-dress at bulking. Add potassium for rhizome size.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Economics

Market priceKES 80/kg
Expected yield in Bungoma5,475 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 438,000/acre
Adjusted for Bungoma's 73/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Turmeric can reach 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 480,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
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