Growing Carrot in Nandi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nandi's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Nandi is well suited to Carrot. Nandi's soil (pH 6.17, slightly acidic) gives Carrot a suitability score of 85/100. Match fertilizer to Nandi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Nandi County is well suited to Carrot, scoring 85/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.17 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Carrot prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.37 g/kg), phosphorus (26.4 mg/kg) and potassium (207 mg/kg) all meet Carrot's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Carrot prefers sandy loam soils, while Nandi is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 38/kg) and a typical 10,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Carrot crop here can gross roughly KES 380,000 per acre.

85Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNandi soilCarrot needsStatus
pH6.175.57OK
Nitrogen1.37 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus26.4 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium207 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,400 mm600–1,200 mmHigh
Altitude1,900 m1,000–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4-5 after sowing
Instruction
Apply at thinning stage when roots begin swelling. Avoid over-application — causes forked roots.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

NantesMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 70-80 days · 4–5 tons/acre
Cylindrical roots; sweet flavor; excellent fresh market variety.
ChantenayMedium
Simlaw Seeds · 75-90 days · 3.5–4.5 tons/acre
Broad shoulders; good for heavy soils; reliable yield.

Economics

Market priceKES 38/kg
Expected yield 10,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 380,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
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