Growing Pyrethrum in Nakuru
Soil suitability analysis based on Nakuru's nutrient profile
Yes — Nakuru is well suited to Pyrethrum. Nakuru's soil (pH 6.28, slightly acidic) gives Pyrethrum a suitability score of 84/100. Match fertilizer to Nakuru's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Nakuru County is well suited to Pyrethrum, scoring 84/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.28 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–6.5 band Pyrethrum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.59 g/kg), phosphorus (25.2 mg/kg) and potassium (239 mg/kg) all meet Pyrethrum's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Pyrethrum, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pyrethrum is the #68 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nakuru County. At current prices (about KES 280/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pyrethrum crop here can gross roughly KES 140,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nakuru soil | Pyrethrum needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.28 | 5–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.59 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.2 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 239 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 900–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,750 m | 1,800–3,000 m | Low |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag