Growing Potato in Nakuru
Soil suitability analysis based on Nakuru's nutrient profile
Yes — Nakuru is well suited to Potato. Nakuru's soil (pH 6.28, slightly acidic) gives Potato a suitability score of 86/100. Match fertilizer to Nakuru's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Nakuru County is well suited to Potato, scoring 86/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.28 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.8–6.5 band Potato prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.59 g/kg), phosphorus (25.2 mg/kg) and potassium (239 mg/kg) all meet Potato's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Potato prefers sandy loam soils, while Nakuru is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Potato is the #61 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nakuru 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 | Nakuru soil | Potato needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.28 | 4.8–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.59 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.2 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 239 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 700–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,750 m | 1,500–3,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Nakuru
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
Nakuru's nitrogen (1.59 g/kg) already meets Potato's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Nakuru
14 potato varieties are rated for Nakuru's altitude (1,750 m) and rainfall (900 mm):
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag