Growing Capsicum in Taita Taveta
Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Taita Taveta is only marginally suited to Capsicum. Taita Taveta's soil (pH 6.64, near-neutral) gives Capsicum a suitability score of 53/100. Match fertilizer to Taita Taveta's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Capsicum can be grown in Taita Taveta County, but the soil scores 53/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Capsicum 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/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly loam soils suit Capsicum, which favours loam. Capsicum's full potential is about 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 540,000/acre at KES 90/kg), but at Taita Taveta's 53/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 3,975 kg/acre (~KES 357,750/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Taita Taveta soil | Capsicum needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.64 | 5.5–7 | 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 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 500 mm | 600–1,200 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 700 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag