Growing Pyrethrum in Nandi
Soil suitability analysis based on Nandi's nutrient profile
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. At current prices (about KES 280/kg) and a typical 400 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pyrethrum crop here can gross roughly KES 112,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Nandi soil | Pyrethrum needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.17 | 5–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.37 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 26.4 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 207 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
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 yield400 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 112,000/acre
Preferred textureLoam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag