Growing Cassava in Laikipia

Soil suitability analysis based on Laikipia's nutrient profile

Cassava can be grown in Laikipia County, but the soil scores 57/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 4.99 — strongly acidic and inside the 4.5–7 band Cassava prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.42 g/kg), phosphorus (16.6 mg/kg) and potassium (215 mg/kg) all meet Cassava's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Cassava, which favours sandy. At 1700 m, the county sits above Cassava's preferred altitude ceiling of 1400 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Cassava's full potential is about 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 90,000/acre at KES 15/kg), but at Laikipia's 57/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 4,275 kg/acre (~KES 64,125/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.