Growing Taro (Nduma) in Kakamega
Soil suitability analysis based on Kakamega's nutrient profile
Yes — Kakamega is well suited to Taro (Nduma). Kakamega's soil (pH 5.63, slightly acidic) gives Taro (Nduma) a suitability score of 78/100. Match fertilizer to Kakamega's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kakamega County is well suited to Taro (Nduma), scoring 78/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.63 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.5 band Taro (Nduma) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 147 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Taro (Nduma), which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Taro (Nduma) is the #18 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kakamega County. At current prices (about KES 90/kg) and a typical 7,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Taro (Nduma) crop here can gross roughly KES 630,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kakamega soil | Taro (Nduma) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.63 | 5.5–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.01 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 14 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 147 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,900 mm | 1,000–1,500 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 0–1,850 m | OK |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag