Growing Yams in Elgeyo Marakwet
Soil suitability analysis based on Elgeyo Marakwet's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Elgeyo Marakwet is moderately suited to Yams. Elgeyo Marakwet's soil (pH 6.27, slightly acidic) gives Yams a suitability score of 64/100. Match fertilizer to Elgeyo Marakwet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Elgeyo Marakwet County is a solid choice for Yams, with a soil-match score of 64/100. Local soils average pH 6.27 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.5 band Yams prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.39 g/kg), phosphorus (22.2 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Yams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Yams prefers sandy loam soils, while Elgeyo Marakwet is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Yams is the #87 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Elgeyo Marakwet County. Yams's full potential is about 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Elgeyo Marakwet's 64/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 5,600 kg/acre (~KES 448,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Elgeyo Marakwet soil | Yams needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.27 | 5.5–6.5 | 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 |
| Rainfall | 1,000 mm | 1,200–1,800 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 1,800 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag