Growing Yams in Uasin Gishu
Soil suitability analysis based on Uasin Gishu's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Uasin Gishu is moderately suited to Yams. Uasin Gishu's soil (pH 6.39, slightly acidic) gives Yams a suitability score of 56/100. Match fertilizer to Uasin Gishu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Yams can be grown in Uasin Gishu County, but the soil scores 56/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.39 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.5 band Yams prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.56 g/kg), phosphorus (25.3 mg/kg) and potassium (227 mg/kg) all meet Yams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Yams prefers sandy loam soils, while Uasin Gishu is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Yams is the #81 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Uasin Gishu County. Yams's full potential is about 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Uasin Gishu's 56/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 4,900 kg/acre (~KES 392,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Uasin Gishu's soil: Beans, Snow Peas, and Napier Grass — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Uasin Gishu soil | Yams needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.39 | 5.5–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.56 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.3 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 227 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,100 mm | 1,200–1,800 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 2,100 m | 0–1,800 m | High |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag