Growing Potato in Kiambu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kiambu's nutrient profile
Kiambu County is well suited to Potato, scoring 82/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.28 — moderately acidic and inside the 4.8–6.5 band Potato prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 13.7 mg/kg, K 169 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Potato prefers sandy loam soils, while Kiambu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 32/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Potato crop here can gross roughly KES 128,000 per acre.
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Kiambu soil | Potato needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.28 | 4.8–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.01 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 13.7 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 169 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag