Growing Carrot in Elgeyo Marakwet
Soil suitability analysis based on Elgeyo Marakwet's nutrient profile
Elgeyo Marakwet County is well suited to Carrot, scoring 93/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.27 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Carrot prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.39 g/kg), phosphorus (22.2 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Carrot's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Carrot, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 38/kg) and a typical 5,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Carrot crop here can gross roughly KES 209,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Elgeyo Marakwet soil | Carrot needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.27 | 5.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.39 g/kg | min 0.5 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
NantesMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 70-80 days · 80-100 bags/acre
Cylindrical roots; sweet flavor; excellent fresh market variety.
ChantenayMedium
Simlaw Seeds · 75-90 days · 70-90 bags/acre
Broad shoulders; good for heavy soils; reliable yield.
Economics
Market priceKES 38/kg
Expected yield5,500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 209,000/acre
Preferred textureSandy 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