Growing Potato in Nyamira
Soil suitability analysis based on Nyamira's nutrient profile
Yes — Nyamira is well suited to Potato. Nyamira's soil (pH 5.58, slightly acidic) gives Potato a suitability score of 76/100. Match fertilizer to Nyamira's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Nyamira County is well suited to Potato, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.58 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.8–6.5 band Potato prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.84 g/kg, P 11.6 mg/kg, K 148 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Potato prefers sandy loam soils, while Nyamira is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Potato is the #22 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyamira 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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nyamira soil | Potato needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.58 | 4.8–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.84 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 11.6 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 148 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,600 mm | 700–1,500 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 1,500–3,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Nyamira
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· August–October
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Nyamira's nitrogen (0.84 g/kg) is 70% of the 1.2 g/kg Potato needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Nyamira
14 potato varieties are rated for Nyamira's altitude (1,700 m) and rainfall (1,600 mm):
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag