Growing Sweet Potato in Kisumu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile
Yes — Kisumu is well suited to Sweet Potato. Kisumu's soil (pH 5.54, slightly acidic) gives Sweet Potato a suitability score of 90/100. Match fertilizer to Kisumu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kisumu County is well suited to Sweet Potato, scoring 90/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.54 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–7 band Sweet Potato prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 0.91 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Sweet Potato prefers sandy loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sweet Potato is the #6 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kisumu County. At current prices (about KES 18/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sweet Potato crop here can gross roughly KES 90,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisumu soil | Sweet Potato 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 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 166 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 600–1,800 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,150 m | 0–2,200 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kisumu
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· September–November
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Kisumu's nitrogen reads 0.91 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Sweet Potato is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Kisumu's 1,150 m altitude and 1,200 mm rainfall, so all 5 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag