Growing Pyrethrum in Kiambu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kiambu's nutrient profile
Yes — Kiambu is well suited to Pyrethrum. Kiambu's soil (pH 5.28, strongly acidic) gives Pyrethrum a suitability score of 75/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Kiambu County is well suited to Pyrethrum, scoring 75/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.28 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–6.5 band Pyrethrum prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 13.7 mg/kg, K 169 mg/kg against this crop's medium/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Pyrethrum prefers loam soils, while Kiambu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pyrethrum is the #20 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kiambu County. At current prices (about KES 280/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pyrethrum crop here can gross roughly KES 140,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kiambu soil | Pyrethrum needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.28 | 5–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.01 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 13.7 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 169 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,100 mm | 900–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 1,800–3,000 m | Low |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag