Growing Taro (Nduma) in Nyeri

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyeri's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Nyeri is well suited to Taro (Nduma). Nyeri's soil (pH 5.23, strongly acidic) gives Taro (Nduma) a suitability score of 84/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Nyeri County is well suited to Taro (Nduma), scoring 84/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.23 the soil is moderately acidic, below Taro (Nduma)'s preferred 5.5–6.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.09 g/kg), phosphorus (15.5 mg/kg) and potassium (192 mg/kg) all meet Taro (Nduma)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Taro (Nduma) prefers loam soils, while Nyeri is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Taro (Nduma) is the #11 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyeri County. At current prices (about KES 90/kg) and a typical 7,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Taro (Nduma) crop here can gross roughly KES 630,000 per acre.

84Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNyeri soilTaro (Nduma) needsStatus
pH5.235.56.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.09 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus15.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium192 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm1,000–1,500 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m0–1,850 mOK

Recommended seed varieties

Nduma LocalMedium/Highland 0-1850m
KALRO · 270-365 days · 2.5–4 tons/acre
Traditional variety; good corm size; suited to wet/valley bottoms.

Economics

Market priceKES 90/kg
Expected yield 7,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 630,000/acre

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