Growing Potato in Kilifi

Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile

Kilifi County is a challenging environment for Potato (soil-match score 2/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral 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 0.8 g/kg, P 11 mg/kg, K 109 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Potato, which favours sandy loam. At 150 m, the county sits below Potato's preferred altitude range (1000–3000 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. 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.