Growing Yams in Kilifi

Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile

Kilifi County is a challenging environment for Yams (soil-match score 28/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.5 band Yams prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.8 g/kg, P 11 mg/kg, K 109 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Yams, which favours sandy loam. Kilifi receives approximately 700 mm/year — well below Yams's minimum of 1200 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Yams is the #61 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kilifi County. Yams's full potential is about 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Kilifi's 28/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 2,450 kg/acre (~KES 196,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Kilifi's soil: Sesame (Simsim), Sorghum, and Finger Millet — each scores higher on the same soil.