Growing Yams in Kajiado

Soil suitability analysis based on Kajiado's nutrient profile

Kajiado County is a challenging environment for Yams (soil-match score 15/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 6.55 the soil sits above Yams's preferred 5.5–6.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.97 g/kg), phosphorus (20.6 mg/kg) and potassium (257 mg/kg) all meet Yams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Yams, which favours sandy loam. Kajiado receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Yams's minimum of 1200 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Yams is the #100 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kajiado County. Yams's full potential is about 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Kajiado's 15/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,313 kg/acre (~KES 105,040/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Kajiado's soil: Sorghum, Cowpeas, and Pigeon Peas — each scores higher on the same soil.