Growing Yams in Tana River

Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile

Tana River County is a challenging environment for Yams (soil-match score 9/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.5 band Yams 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/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Yams, which favours sandy loam. Tana River receives approximately 400 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 #62 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Tana River County. Yams's full potential is about 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Tana River's 9/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 788 kg/acre (~KES 63,040/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.