Growing Pyrethrum in Tana River

Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile

Tana River County is a challenging environment for Pyrethrum (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–6.5 band Pyrethrum prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 1.04 g/kg, P 8.5 mg/kg, K 108 mg/kg against this crop's medium/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Pyrethrum prefers loam soils, while Tana River is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Tana River receives approximately 400 mm/year — well below Pyrethrum's minimum of 900 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pyrethrum is the #98 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Tana River County. Pyrethrum's full potential is about 500 kg/acre (~KES 140,000/acre at KES 280/kg), but at Tana River's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

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