Growing Sweet Potato in Turkana

Soil suitability analysis based on Turkana's nutrient profile

Turkana County is a challenging environment for Sweet Potato (soil-match score 13/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.95 the soil sits above Sweet Potato's preferred 4.5–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.41 g/kg, P 38.5 mg/kg, K 417 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Sweet Potato, which favours sandy loam. Turkana receives approximately 300 mm/year — well below Sweet Potato's minimum of 600 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sweet Potato is the #46 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Turkana County. Sweet Potato's full potential is about 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 90,000/acre at KES 18/kg), but at Turkana's 13/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 813 kg/acre (~KES 14,634/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Turkana's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.