Growing Potato in Kisii
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisii's nutrient profile
Yes — Kisii is well suited to Potato. Kisii's soil (pH 5.21, strongly acidic) gives Potato a suitability score of 80/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Kisii County is well suited to Potato, scoring 80/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.21 — moderately acidic 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 1.09 g/kg, P 13.1 mg/kg, K 151 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Potato prefers sandy loam soils, while Kisii is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Potato is the #13 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kisii County. At current prices (about KES 38/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Potato crop here can gross roughly KES 304,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisii soil | Potato needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.21 | 4.8–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.09 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 13.1 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 151 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 700–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 1,500–3,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kisii
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· August–October
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Kisii's nitrogen (1.09 g/kg) is 91% of the 1.2 g/kg Potato needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Kisii
14 potato varieties are rated for Kisii's altitude (1,700 m) and rainfall (1,500 mm):
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag