Growing Cassava in Meru
Soil suitability analysis based on Meru's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Meru is moderately suited to Cassava. Meru's soil (pH 4.88, strongly acidic) gives Cassava a suitability score of 71/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Meru County is a solid choice for Cassava, with a soil-match score of 71/100. Local soils average pH 4.88 — strongly acidic and inside the 4.5–7 band Cassava prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.22 g/kg), phosphorus (20.3 mg/kg) and potassium (218 mg/kg) all meet Cassava's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cassava prefers sandy soils, while Meru is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cassava is the #18 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Meru County. Cassava's full potential is about 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 90,000/acre at KES 15/kg), but at Meru's 71/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 5,325 kg/acre (~KES 79,875/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Meru soil | Cassava needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 4.88 | 4.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.22 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 20.3 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 218 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,400 mm | 500–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 0–1,400 m | High |
Planting calendar for Meru
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Meru's nitrogen reads 1.22 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Cassava is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Meru
Varieties suited to Meru's 1,500 m altitude and 1,400 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 cassava varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag