Growing Taro (Nduma) in Mombasa

Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Mombasa is well suited to Taro (Nduma). Mombasa's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Taro (Nduma) a suitability score of 86/100. Match fertilizer to Mombasa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Mombasa County is well suited to Taro (Nduma), scoring 86/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.5 band Taro (Nduma) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.95 g/kg, P 8.4 mg/kg, K 136 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Taro (Nduma) prefers loam soils, while Mombasa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Taro (Nduma) is the #11 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mombasa County. At current prices (about KES 90/kg) and a typical 7,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Taro (Nduma) crop here can gross roughly KES 630,000 per acre.

86Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMombasa soilTaro (Nduma) needsStatus
pH6.245.56.5OK
Nitrogen0.95 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus8.4 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium136 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,000 mm1,000–1,500 mmOK
Altitude50 m0–1,850 mOK

Recommended seed varieties

Nduma LocalMedium/Highland 0-1850m
KALRO · 270-365 days · 2.5–4 tons/acre
Traditional variety; good corm size; suited to wet/valley bottoms.

Economics

Market priceKES 90/kg
Expected yield 7,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 630,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag