Growing Groundnuts in Kisumu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Kisumu is well suited to Groundnuts. Kisumu's soil (pH 5.54, slightly acidic) gives Groundnuts a suitability score of 89/100. Match fertilizer to Kisumu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kisumu County is well suited to Groundnuts, scoring 89/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.54 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Groundnuts prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.91 g/kg), phosphorus (12.5 mg/kg) and potassium (166 mg/kg) all meet Groundnuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Groundnuts prefers sandy soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Groundnuts is the #7 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kisumu County. At current prices (about KES 90/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Groundnuts crop here can gross roughly KES 45,000 per acre.

89Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKisumu soilGroundnuts needsStatus
pH5.5457OK
Nitrogen0.91 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium166 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm500–1,400 mmOK
Altitude1,150 m0–1,800 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Groundnuts fix their own Nitrogen. Apply gypsum at pegging for calcium.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

ICGV-SM 99568Dryland/Medium
ICRISAT/KALRO · 90-100 days · 8-12 bags/acre
Rosette virus resistant; high oil content.
Red ValenciaDryland
Local/KALRO · 100-110 days · 6-10 bags/acre
Popular local market variety; good taste.

Economics

Market priceKES 90/kg
Expected yield 500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 45,000/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