Growing Chilies in Nandi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nandi's nutrient profile

Nandi County is a challenging environment for Chilies (soil-match score 34/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.17 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Chilies prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.37 g/kg), phosphorus (26.4 mg/kg) and potassium (207 mg/kg) all meet Chilies's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Chilies, which favours sandy loam. At 1900 m, the county sits above Chilies's preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. At current prices (about KES 165/kg) and a typical 1,800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Chilies crop here can gross roughly KES 297,000 per acre.