Growing Taro (Nduma) in Murang'a

Soil suitability analysis based on Murang'a's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Murang'a is well suited to Taro (Nduma). Murang'a's soil (pH 5.03, strongly acidic) gives Taro (Nduma) a suitability score of 78/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Murang'a County is well suited to Taro (Nduma), scoring 78/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.03 the soil is moderately acidic, below Taro (Nduma)'s preferred 5.5–6.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.2 g/kg), phosphorus (12.2 mg/kg) and potassium (168 mg/kg) all meet Taro (Nduma)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Taro (Nduma) prefers loam soils, while Murang'a is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Taro (Nduma) is the #12 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Murang'a 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.

78Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMurang'a soilTaro (Nduma) needsStatus
pH5.035.56.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.2 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.2 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium168 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm1,000–1,500 mmOK
Altitude1,500 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 in Murang'a6,825 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 614,250/acre
Adjusted for Murang'a's 78/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Taro (Nduma) can reach 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 630,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

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