Growing Groundnuts in Uasin Gishu

Soil suitability analysis based on Uasin Gishu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Uasin Gishu is moderately suited to Groundnuts. Uasin Gishu's soil (pH 6.39, slightly acidic) gives Groundnuts a suitability score of 67/100. Match fertilizer to Uasin Gishu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Uasin Gishu County is a solid choice for Groundnuts, with a soil-match score of 67/100. Local soils average pH 6.39 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Groundnuts prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.56 g/kg), phosphorus (25.3 mg/kg) and potassium (227 mg/kg) all meet Groundnuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Groundnuts prefers sandy soils, while Uasin Gishu is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Groundnuts is the #70 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Uasin Gishu County. Groundnuts's full potential is about 500 kg/acre (~KES 45,000/acre at KES 90/kg), but at Uasin Gishu's 67/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 419 kg/acre (~KES 37,710/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

67Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorUasin Gishu soilGroundnuts needsStatus
pH6.3957OK
Nitrogen1.56 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.3 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium227 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,100 mm500–1,400 mmOK
Altitude2,100 m0–1,800 mHigh

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Groundnuts fix their own Nitrogen. Apply gypsum at pegging for calcium.
Bags per acre in Uasin Gishu
0

Uasin Gishu's nitrogen reads 1.56 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Groundnuts is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.

Recommended seed varieties

No variety in our list is specifically rated for Uasin Gishu's 2,100 m altitude and 1,100 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.

ICGV-SM 99568Dryland/Medium
ICRISAT/KALRO · 90-100 days · 8-12 bags/acre
Rosette virus resistant; high oil content.
Red ValenciaDryland
Local/KALRO · 100-110 days · 6-10 bags/acre
Popular local market variety; good taste.

Economics

Market priceKES 90/kg
Expected yield in Uasin Gishu419 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 37,710/acre
Adjusted for Uasin Gishu's 67/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Groundnuts can reach 500 kg/acre (~KES 45,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy

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