Growing Arrow Root in Nyamira

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyamira's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Nyamira is well suited to Arrow Root. Nyamira's soil (pH 5.58, slightly acidic) gives Arrow Root a suitability score of 86/100. Match fertilizer to Nyamira's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Nyamira County is well suited to Arrow Root, scoring 86/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.58 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Arrow Root prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.84 g/kg, P 11.6 mg/kg, K 148 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Arrow Root, which favours clay loam. At current prices (about KES 55/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Arrow Root crop here can gross roughly KES 275,000 per acre.

86Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNyamira soilArrow Root needsStatus
pH5.5857OK
Nitrogen0.84 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus11.6 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium148 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,600 mm1,000–2,000 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m0–1,800 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
3 months after planting
Instruction
Apply in a ring around the plant. Arrow Root is a long-season crop and benefits from one mid-season application.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Nduma LocalMedium/Highland
KALRO · 270-365 days · 2.5–4 tons/acre
Traditional variety; good corm size; suited to wet highland areas.

Economics

Market priceKES 55/kg
Expected yield 5,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 275,000/acre

Preferred textureClay 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