Growing Stevia in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Trans Nzoia County is well suited to Stevia, scoring 83/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.93 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Stevia's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Stevia's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Stevia, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 200/kg) and a typical 3,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Stevia crop here can gross roughly KES 600,000 per acre.