Growing Arrow Root in Meru

Soil suitability analysis based on Meru's nutrient profile

Meru County is well suited to Arrow Root, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 4.88 the soil is strongly acidic, below Arrow Root's preferred 5–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.22 g/kg), phosphorus (20.3 mg/kg) and potassium (218 mg/kg) all meet Arrow Root's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Arrow Root, which favours clay loam. At current prices (about KES 55/kg) and a typical 4,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Arrow Root crop here can gross roughly KES 247,500 per acre.