Growing Groundnuts in Nyandarua
Soil suitability analysis based on Nyandarua's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Nyandarua is only marginally suited to Groundnuts. Nyandarua's soil (pH 5.38, strongly acidic) gives Groundnuts a suitability score of 53/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Groundnuts can be grown in Nyandarua County, but the soil scores 53/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.38 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7 band Groundnuts prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.28 g/kg), phosphorus (14 mg/kg) and potassium (166 mg/kg) all meet Groundnuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Groundnuts prefers sandy soils, while Nyandarua is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 2300 m, the county sits above Groundnuts's preferred altitude ceiling of 1800 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Groundnuts is the #61 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyandarua County. Groundnuts's full potential is about 500 kg/acre (~KES 45,000/acre at KES 90/kg), but at Nyandarua's 53/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 331 kg/acre (~KES 29,790/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Nyandarua's soil: Tea, Pyrethrum, and Potato — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nyandarua soil | Groundnuts needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.38 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.28 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 14 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 166 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,100 mm | 500–1,400 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 2,300 m | 0–1,800 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Nyandarua's nitrogen reads 1.28 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Groundnuts is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Nyandarua's 2,300 m altitude and 1,100 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag