Growing Arrow Root in Kajiado

Soil suitability analysis based on Kajiado's nutrient profile

Kajiado County is a challenging environment for Arrow Root (soil-match score 22/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.55 — neutral and inside the 5–7 band Arrow Root prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.97 g/kg), phosphorus (20.6 mg/kg) and potassium (257 mg/kg) all meet Arrow Root's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Arrow Root, which favours clay loam. Kajiado receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Arrow Root's minimum of 1000 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. 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.