Growing African Nightshade in West Pokot
Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile
West Pokot County is well suited to African Nightshade, scoring 90/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.04 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band African Nightshade prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet African Nightshade's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit African Nightshade, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 3,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed African Nightshade crop here can gross roughly KES 175,000 per acre.
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | West Pokot soil | African Nightshade needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.04 | 5.5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.67 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 24.8 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 211 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag