Growing Capsicum in Taita Taveta

Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile

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. At current prices (about KES 90/kg) and a typical 4,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Capsicum crop here can gross roughly KES 405,000 per acre.