Growing Potato in Narok

Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Narok is well suited to Potato. Narok's soil (pH 6.13, slightly acidic) gives Potato a suitability score of 89/100. Match fertilizer to Narok's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Narok County is well suited to Potato, scoring 89/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.13 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.8–6.5 band Potato prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 mg/kg) all meet Potato's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Potato prefers sandy loam soils, while Narok is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Potato is the #39 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Narok County. At current prices (about KES 38/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Potato crop here can gross roughly KES 304,000 per acre.

89Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNarok soilPotato needsStatus
pH6.134.8–6.5OK
Nitrogen1.63 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.7 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium234 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall800 mm700–1,500 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m1,500–3,000 mOK

Planting calendar for Narok

Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here

April
Planting Tubers & Basal Fertilizer (NPK)
May
Earthing Up & Top Dressing (CAN)
June
Pest Control (Blight) & Weeding

Short Rains· October–December

October
Planting & Basal Fertilizer
November
Earthing Up & Top Dressing
December
Blight Control

Dry Season· February–April

February
Harvesting & Storage
March
Land Resting
April
Seed Tuber Sprouting

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3–4 after emergence
Instruction
Apply when plants are 15–20cm tall, before earthing up
Bags per acre in Narok
1

Narok's nitrogen (1.63 g/kg) already meets Potato's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Seed varieties for Narok

14 potato varieties are rated for Narok's altitude (1,700 m) and rainfall (800 mm):

Shangi· Medium/HighlandUnica· Dryland/MediumTigoni· HighlandAsante· Medium/HighlandKenya Furaha· Medium/HighlandKenya Mpya· Medium/HighlandClone IG-70· HighlandDutch Robijn· HighlandKenya Baraka· HighlandSherekea· Medium/HighlandLenana· HighlandWanjiku· HighlandNyota· HighlandChulu· Highland
Full variety details — maturity, yield & breeder →

Economics

Market priceKES 38/kg
Expected yield 8,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 304,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

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