Growing Yams in Kisumu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile

Kisumu County is well suited to Yams, scoring 87/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.54 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.5 band Yams 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 medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Yams prefers sandy loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Yams crop here can gross roughly KES 480,000 per acre.

87Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientKisumu soilYams needsStatus
pH5.545.56.5OK
Nitrogen0.91 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium166 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow

Recommended seed varieties

Local White (Nyandarua/Meru)Medium/Highland 1000-1800m
Local · 240-300 days · 2.5–3.5 tons/acre
Traditional tuber crop; highly valued for food security; propagated via tuber sets.
Local PurpleMedium/Highland 1000-1800m
Local · 270-330 days · 2–3 tons/acre
Vigorous climbing vine; highly nutritious tuber.

Economics

Market priceKES 80/kg
Expected yield6,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 480,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

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