Growing Groundnuts in Kericho
Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Kericho is moderately suited to Groundnuts. Kericho's soil (pH 5.94, slightly acidic) gives Groundnuts a suitability score of 65/100. Match fertilizer to Kericho's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kericho County is a solid choice for Groundnuts, with a soil-match score of 65/100. Local soils average pH 5.94 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Groundnuts prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Groundnuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Groundnuts prefers sandy soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Groundnuts is the #51 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kericho County. Groundnuts's full potential is about 500 kg/acre (~KES 45,000/acre at KES 90/kg), but at Kericho's 65/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 406 kg/acre (~KES 36,540/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kericho soil | Groundnuts needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.94 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.34 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.7 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 225 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,800 mm | 500–1,400 mm | High |
| Altitude | 2,000 m | 0–1,800 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Kericho's nitrogen reads 1.34 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Groundnuts is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Kericho's 2,000 m altitude and 1,800 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag