Growing Taro (Nduma) in Siaya
Soil suitability analysis based on Siaya's nutrient profile
Yes — Siaya is well suited to Taro (Nduma). Siaya's soil (pH 5.33, strongly acidic) gives Taro (Nduma) a suitability score of 84/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Siaya County is well suited to Taro (Nduma), scoring 84/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.33 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. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.2 g/kg, P 12.1 mg/kg, K 134 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Taro (Nduma), which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Taro (Nduma) is the #10 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Siaya 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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Siaya soil | Taro (Nduma) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.33 | 5.5–6.5 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.2 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 134 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 1,000–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,200 m | 0–1,850 m | OK |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag