Growing Cassava in Kisumu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile
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. At current prices (about KES 15/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cassava crop here can gross roughly KES 60,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Kisumu soil | Cassava needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.54 | 4.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.91 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.5 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 166 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
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 yield4,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 60,000/acre
Preferred textureSandy
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag