Growing Cassava in Embu
Soil suitability analysis based on Embu's nutrient profile
Yes — Embu is well suited to Cassava. Embu's soil (pH 5.1, strongly acidic) gives Cassava a suitability score of 87/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Embu County is well suited to Cassava, scoring 87/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.1 — moderately acidic and inside the 4.5–7 band Cassava prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.04 g/kg), phosphorus (12.6 mg/kg) and potassium (194 mg/kg) all meet Cassava's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cassava prefers sandy soils, while Embu is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cassava is the #4 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Embu County. At current prices (about KES 15/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cassava crop here can gross roughly KES 90,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Embu soil | Cassava needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.1 | 4.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.04 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.6 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 194 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,300 mm | 500–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,400 m | 0–1,400 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Embu
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Embu's nitrogen reads 1.04 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Cassava is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Embu
Varieties suited to Embu's 1,400 m altitude and 1,300 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 cassava varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag