Growing Yams in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Makueni County is a challenging environment for Yams (soil-match score 16/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.5 the soil sits above Yams's preferred 5.5–6.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.86 g/kg), phosphorus (29.6 mg/kg) and potassium (351 mg/kg) all meet Yams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Yams, which favours sandy loam. Makueni receives approximately 600 mm/year — well below Yams's minimum of 1200 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Yams is the #97 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Makueni County. Yams's full potential is about 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Makueni's 16/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,400 kg/acre (~KES 112,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Makueni's soil: Lucerne, Mango, and Sisal — each scores higher on the same soil.