Growing Cassava in Meru

Soil suitability analysis based on Meru's nutrient profile

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. 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.