Growing Potato in Vihiga

Soil suitability analysis based on Vihiga's nutrient profile

Vihiga County is well suited to Potato, scoring 77/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.62 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.8–6.5 band Potato prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 1.02 g/kg, P 14.8 mg/kg, K 164 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Potato, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 32/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Potato crop here can gross roughly KES 128,000 per acre.

77Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientVihiga soilPotato needsStatus
pH5.624.86.5OK
Nitrogen1.02 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus14.8 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium164 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Planting Tubers & Basal Fertilizer (NPK)
Month 2
Earthing Up & Top Dressing (CAN)
Month 3
Pest Control (Blight) & Weeding

Short Rains

Month 1
Planting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Earthing Up & Top Dressing
Month 3
Blight Control

Dry Season

Month 1
Harvesting & Storage
Month 2
Land Resting
Month 3
Seed Tuber Sprouting

Recommended seed varieties

ShangiMedium/Highland
KALRO · 80-90 days · 300-350 bags/acre
Very fast cooking; high tuber density per plant.
UnicaDryland/Medium
KALRO · 90-100 days · 350-400 bags/acre
Heat tolerant; highly resistant to late blight.

Economics

Market priceKES 32/kg
Expected yield4,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 128,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag