Growing Potato in Meru
Soil suitability analysis based on Meru's nutrient profile
Yes — Meru is well suited to Potato. Meru's soil (pH 4.88, strongly acidic) gives Potato a suitability score of 81/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Meru County is well suited to Potato, scoring 81/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 4.88 — strongly acidic and inside the 4.8–6.5 band Potato prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.22 g/kg), phosphorus (20.3 mg/kg) and potassium (218 mg/kg) all meet Potato's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Potato prefers sandy loam soils, while Meru is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Potato is the #7 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Meru County. At current prices (about KES 38/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Potato crop here can gross roughly KES 304,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Meru soil | Potato needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 4.88 | 4.8–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.22 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 20.3 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 218 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,400 mm | 700–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 1,500–3,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Meru
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Meru's nitrogen (1.22 g/kg) already meets Potato's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Meru
6 potato varieties are rated for Meru's altitude (1,500 m) and rainfall (1,400 mm):
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag