Growing Potato in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Makueni County is a challenging environment for Potato (soil-match score 41/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.5 the soil sits above Potato's preferred 4.8–6.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.86 g/kg, P 29.6 mg/kg, K 351 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Potato, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 32/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Potato crop here can gross roughly KES 128,000 per acre.