Growing Pyrethrum in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Trans Nzoia is well suited to Pyrethrum. Trans Nzoia's soil (pH 5.93, slightly acidic) gives Pyrethrum a suitability score of 93/100. Match fertilizer to Trans Nzoia's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Trans Nzoia County is well suited to Pyrethrum, scoring 93/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.93 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–6.5 band Pyrethrum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Pyrethrum's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Pyrethrum, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pyrethrum is the #4 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Trans Nzoia County. At current prices (about KES 280/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pyrethrum crop here can gross roughly KES 140,000 per acre.

93Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTrans Nzoia soilPyrethrum needsStatus
pH5.9356.5OK
Nitrogen1.68 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus27.3 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium213 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm900–1,500 mmOK
Altitude1,900 m1,800–3,000 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4–6 after planting
Instruction
One application at vegetative stage to support flower production.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

P4Highland
Pyrethrum Board of Kenya · 180-240 days · 150–250 kg/acre
High pyrethrin content; suited to highland conditions.
Clone 22Highland
Pyrethrum Board of Kenya · 180-240 days · 200–300 kg/acre
High yielding clone; good flower production.

Economics

Market priceKES 280/kg
Expected yield 500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 140,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag