Growing Arrow Root in Kiambu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kiambu's nutrient profile
Yes — Kiambu is well suited to Arrow Root. Kiambu's soil (pH 5.28, strongly acidic) gives Arrow Root a suitability score of 83/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Kiambu County is well suited to Arrow Root, scoring 83/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.28 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7 band Arrow Root prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 13.7 mg/kg, K 169 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. 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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kiambu soil | Arrow Root needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.28 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.01 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 13.7 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 169 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,100 mm | 1,000–2,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag