Growing Yams in Trans Nzoia
Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile
Yes — Trans Nzoia is well suited to Yams. Trans Nzoia's soil (pH 5.93, slightly acidic) gives Yams a suitability score of 84/100. Match fertilizer to Trans Nzoia's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Trans Nzoia County is well suited to Yams, scoring 84/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.93 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.5 band Yams prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Yams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Yams prefers sandy loam soils, while Trans Nzoia is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Yams is the #42 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Trans Nzoia County. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 7,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Yams crop here can gross roughly KES 560,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Trans Nzoia soil | Yams needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.93 | 5.5–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.68 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 27.3 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 213 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 1,200–1,800 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 0–1,800 m | High |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag