Growing Cassava in Kisumu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Kisumu is well suited to Cassava. Kisumu's soil (pH 5.54, slightly acidic) gives Cassava a suitability score of 93/100. Match fertilizer to Kisumu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kisumu County is well suited to Cassava, scoring 93/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.54 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–7 band Cassava prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.91 g/kg), phosphorus (12.5 mg/kg) and potassium (166 mg/kg) all meet Cassava's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cassava prefers sandy soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cassava is the single best-matched crop of the 106 we assess for Kisumu 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.

93Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKisumu soilCassava needsStatus
pH5.544.57OK
Nitrogen0.91 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.5 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium166 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm500–1,500 mmOK
Altitude1,150 m0–1,400 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Stem Cutting Planting
Month 2
Weeding & Pest Monitoring
Month 3
Growth Monitoring

Short Rains

Month 1
Weeding & Mound Formation
Month 2
Pest & Disease Scouting
Month 3
Growth Monitoring

Dry Season

Month 1
Harvesting (12+ months from planting)
Month 2
Processing & Storage
Month 3
Land Preparation for next crop

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Cassava is low-input. Excessive N causes leafy growth at expense of tubers.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

TajirikaCoastal/Dryland
KALRO · 300-365 days · 4–6 tons/acre
High yielding; tolerant to cassava mosaic disease.
ShibeCoastal/Medium
KALRO · 270-330 days · 3–5 tons/acre
Sweet variety; low cyanide content; good for table use.

Economics

Market priceKES 15/kg
Expected yield 6,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 90,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag