Growing Bambara Nuts in Taita Taveta

Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Taita Taveta is well suited to Bambara Nuts. Taita Taveta's soil (pH 6.64, near-neutral) gives Bambara Nuts a suitability score of 80/100. Match fertilizer to Taita Taveta's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Taita Taveta County is well suited to Bambara Nuts, scoring 80/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 6.64 the soil sits above Bambara Nuts's preferred 5–6.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.97 g/kg), phosphorus (12.9 mg/kg) and potassium (104 mg/kg) all meet Bambara Nuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Bambara Nuts prefers sandy soils, while Taita Taveta is largely loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Bambara Nuts is the #32 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Taita Taveta County. At current prices (about KES 150/kg) and a typical 400 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Bambara Nuts crop here can gross roughly KES 60,000 per acre.

80Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTaita Taveta soilBambara Nuts needsStatus
pH6.6456.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.97 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.9 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium104 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall500 mm500–800 mmOK
Altitude700 m0–1,600 mOK

Recommended seed varieties

Local CreamLowland/Medium 0-1600m
Local · 120-150 days · 4-6 bags/acre
Drought resistant; pods develop underground; high protein and soil building.
Local RedLowland/Medium 0-1600m
Local · 130-160 days · 3-5 bags/acre
Highly nutritious; rich in iron; excellent drought tolerance.

Economics

Market priceKES 150/kg
Expected yield 400 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 60,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy

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