Growing Pyrethrum in Nyeri

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyeri's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Nyeri is well suited to Pyrethrum. Nyeri's soil (pH 5.23, strongly acidic) gives Pyrethrum a suitability score of 76/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Nyeri County is well suited to Pyrethrum, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.23 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–6.5 band Pyrethrum prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus — measured at N 1.09 g/kg, P 15.5 mg/kg, K 192 mg/kg against this crop's medium/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Pyrethrum prefers loam soils, while Nyeri is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pyrethrum is the #19 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyeri County. At current prices (about KES 280/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pyrethrum crop here can gross roughly KES 140,000 per acre.

76Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNyeri soilPyrethrum needsStatus
pH5.2356.5OK
Nitrogen1.09 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus15.5 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium192 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm900–1,500 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m1,800–3,000 mLow

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 yield in Nyeri475 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 133,000/acre
Adjusted for Nyeri's 76/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Pyrethrum can reach 500 kg/acre (~KES 140,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

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