Growing Carrot in Lamu
Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile
Lamu County is a challenging environment for Carrot (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Carrot prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Carrot, which favours sandy loam. At 10 m, the county sits below Carrot's preferred altitude range (1000–2500 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 38/kg) and a typical 5,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Carrot crop here can gross roughly KES 209,000 per acre.
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Lamu soil | Carrot needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.31 | 5.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.74 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 9.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 117 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag