Growing Sweet Potato in Mandera

Soil suitability analysis based on Mandera's nutrient profile

Mandera County is a challenging environment for Sweet Potato (soil-match score 4/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.38 the soil sits above Sweet Potato's preferred 4.5–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.53 g/kg), phosphorus (38.3 mg/kg) and potassium (420 mg/kg) all meet Sweet Potato's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Sweet Potato, which favours sandy loam. Mandera receives approximately 180 mm/year — well below Sweet Potato's minimum of 600 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sweet Potato is the #39 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mandera County. Sweet Potato's full potential is about 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 90,000/acre at KES 18/kg), but at Mandera's 4/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 250 kg/acre (~KES 4,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Mandera's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.