Growing Arrow Root in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Kericho is well suited to Arrow Root. Kericho's soil (pH 5.94, slightly acidic) gives Arrow Root a suitability score of 76/100. Match fertilizer to Kericho's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kericho County is well suited to Arrow Root, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.94 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Arrow Root prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Arrow Root's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay soils suit Arrow Root, which favours clay loam. At current prices (about KES 55/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Arrow Root crop here can gross roughly KES 275,000 per acre.

76Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKericho soilArrow Root needsStatus
pH5.9457OK
Nitrogen1.34 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium225 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,800 mm1,000–2,000 mmOK
Altitude2,000 m0–1,800 mHigh

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
3 months after planting
Instruction
Apply in a ring around the plant. Arrow Root is a long-season crop and benefits from one mid-season application.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Nduma LocalMedium/Highland
KALRO · 270-365 days · 2.5–4 tons/acre
Traditional variety; good corm size; suited to wet highland areas.

Economics

Market priceKES 55/kg
Expected yield in Kericho4,750 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 261,250/acre
Adjusted for Kericho's 76/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Arrow Root can reach 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 275,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureClay Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag