Growing Stevia in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Kericho County is a solid choice for Stevia, with a soil-match score of 74/100. At an average pH of 5.94 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Stevia's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Stevia's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Stevia prefers loam soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 200/kg) and a typical 3,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Stevia crop here can gross roughly KES 600,000 per acre.