Growing Pyrethrum in Nandi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nandi's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Nandi is well suited to Pyrethrum. Nandi's soil (pH 6.17, slightly acidic) gives Pyrethrum a suitability score of 90/100. Match fertilizer to Nandi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Nandi County is well suited to Pyrethrum, scoring 90/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.17 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–6.5 band Pyrethrum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.37 g/kg), phosphorus (26.4 mg/kg) and potassium (207 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 #21 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nandi 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.

90Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNandi soilPyrethrum needsStatus
pH6.1756.5OK
Nitrogen1.37 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus26.4 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium207 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,400 mm900–1,500 mmOK
Altitude1,900 m1,800–3,000 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4–6 after planting
Instruction
One application at vegetative stage to support flower production.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

P4Highland
Pyrethrum Board of Kenya · 180-240 days · 150–250 kg/acre
High pyrethrin content; suited to highland conditions.
Clone 22Highland
Pyrethrum Board of Kenya · 180-240 days · 200–300 kg/acre
High yielding clone; good flower production.

Economics

Market priceKES 280/kg
Expected yield 500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 140,000/acre

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