Growing Arrow Root in Elgeyo Marakwet
Soil suitability analysis based on Elgeyo Marakwet's nutrient profile
Elgeyo Marakwet County is well suited to Arrow Root, scoring 92/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.27 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Arrow Root prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.39 g/kg), phosphorus (22.2 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Arrow Root's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Arrow Root, which favours clay loam. At current prices (about KES 55/kg) and a typical 4,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Arrow Root crop here can gross roughly KES 247,500 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Elgeyo Marakwet soil | Arrow Root needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.27 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.39 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 22.2 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 213 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
Recommended seed varieties
Nduma LocalMedium/Highland
KALRO · 270-365 days · 50-80 bags/acre
Traditional variety; good corm size; suited to wet highland areas.
Economics
Market priceKES 55/kg
Expected yield4,500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 247,500/acre
Preferred textureClay Loam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag