Growing Potato in Lamu
Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Lamu is poorly suited to Potato. Lamu's soil (pH 6.31, slightly acidic) gives Potato a suitability score of 0/100. Match fertilizer to Lamu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Lamu County is a challenging environment for Potato (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 4.8–6.5 band Potato prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Potato, which favours sandy loam. At 10 m, the county sits below Potato's preferred altitude range (1500–3000 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Potato is the #64 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Lamu County. Potato's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 304,000/acre at KES 38/kg), but at Lamu's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Lamu's soil: Sesame (Simsim), Sorghum, and Cowpeas — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Lamu soil | Potato needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.31 | 4.8–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.74 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 9.6 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 117 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 600 mm | 700–1,500 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 10 m | 1,500–3,000 m | Low |
Planting calendar for Lamu
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
Lamu's nitrogen (0.74 g/kg) is 62% of the 1.2 g/kg Potato needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.5. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Lamu
Varieties suited to Lamu's 10 m altitude and 600 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 14 potato varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag