Growing Yams in Taita Taveta

Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile

Taita Taveta County is a challenging environment for Yams (soil-match score 14/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 6.64 the soil sits above Yams's preferred 5.5–6.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 12.9 mg/kg, K 104 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly loam soils suit Yams, which favours sandy loam. Taita Taveta receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Yams's minimum of 1200 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Yams is the #87 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Taita Taveta County. Yams's full potential is about 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Taita Taveta's 14/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,225 kg/acre (~KES 98,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Taita Taveta's soil: Sorghum, Cowpeas, and Pigeon Peas — each scores higher on the same soil.