Growing Yams in Kericho
Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile
Yes — Kericho is well suited to Yams. Kericho's soil (pH 5.94, slightly acidic) gives Yams 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 Yams, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.94 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.5 band Yams prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Yams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Yams prefers sandy loam soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Yams is the #29 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kericho County. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 7,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Yams crop here can gross roughly KES 560,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kericho soil | Yams needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.94 | 5.5–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.34 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.7 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 225 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,800 mm | 1,200–1,800 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 2,000 m | 0–1,800 m | High |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag