Growing Yams in Turkana

Soil suitability analysis based on Turkana's nutrient profile

Turkana County is a challenging environment for Yams (soil-match score 3/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.95 the soil sits above Yams's preferred 5.5–6.5 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 medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Yams, which favours sandy loam. Turkana receives approximately 300 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 #75 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Turkana County. Yams's full potential is about 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Turkana's 3/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 263 kg/acre (~KES 21,040/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.