Growing Cassava in Kirinyaga
Soil suitability analysis based on Kirinyaga's nutrient profile
Yes — Kirinyaga is well suited to Cassava. Kirinyaga's soil (pH 5.31, strongly acidic) gives Cassava a suitability score of 79/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Kirinyaga County is well suited to Cassava, scoring 79/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.31 — moderately acidic and inside the 4.5–7 band Cassava prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.36 g/kg), phosphorus (12.5 mg/kg) and potassium (177 mg/kg) all meet Cassava's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cassava prefers sandy soils, while Kirinyaga is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cassava is the #18 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kirinyaga County. At current prices (about KES 15/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cassava crop here can gross roughly KES 90,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kirinyaga soil | Cassava needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.31 | 4.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.36 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.5 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 177 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,300 mm | 500–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 0–1,400 m | High |
Planting calendar for Kirinyaga
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Kirinyaga's nitrogen reads 1.36 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Cassava is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Kirinyaga
Varieties suited to Kirinyaga's 1,500 m altitude and 1,300 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 cassava varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag