Growing Baby Corn in Taita Taveta
Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile
Taita Taveta County is well suited to Baby Corn, scoring 80/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 5.8–7 band Baby Corn prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 12.9 mg/kg, K 104 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly loam soils suit Baby Corn, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Baby Corn crop here can gross roughly KES 320,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Taita Taveta soil | Baby Corn needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.64 | 5.8–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.97 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 12.9 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 104 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 500 mm | 500–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 700 m | 0–2,100 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Top dressing guide
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag