Growing Yams in Mombasa
Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Mombasa is moderately suited to Yams. Mombasa's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Yams a suitability score of 59/100. Match fertilizer to Mombasa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Yams can be grown in Mombasa County, but the soil scores 59/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.5 band Yams 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/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Yams, which favours sandy loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Yams is the #61 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mombasa County. Yams's full potential is about 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Mombasa's 59/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 5,163 kg/acre (~KES 413,040/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Mombasa's soil: Finger Millet, Cashew Nuts, and Napier Grass — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Mombasa soil | Yams needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.24 | 5.5–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.95 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 8.4 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 136 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,000 mm | 1,200–1,800 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 50 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag