Growing Sweet Potato in Tana River

Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile

Tana River County is a challenging environment for Sweet Potato (soil-match score 34/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–7 band Sweet Potato 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 low/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Sweet Potato, which favours sandy loam. Tana River receives approximately 400 mm/year — well below Sweet Potato's minimum of 600 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Sweet Potato's full potential is about 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 90,000/acre at KES 18/kg), but at Tana River's 34/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 2,125 kg/acre (~KES 38,250/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.