Growing Stevia in Kilifi

Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile

Kilifi County is a challenging environment for Stevia (soil-match score 7/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Stevia 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/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Stevia, which favours loam. At 150 m, the county sits below Stevia's preferred altitude range (500–2000 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. Stevia's full potential is about 3,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 200/kg), but at Kilifi's 7/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 263 kg/acre (~KES 52,600/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.