Potatoes Farming Guide — Kenya
Soil requirements, top counties, seed varieties, fertilizer plan & economics
Soil Requirements
pH Range
5–6.5
Nitrogen
high
Phosphorus
high
Potassium
high
Preferred texture: Sandy Loam
Best Counties for Potatoes
Challenging Counties for Potatoes
These counties may need soil amendments for Potatoes
Certified 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.
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
Economics
Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield6,000 kg/acre
Est. revenueKES 240,000/acre
Top Dressing
Product: CAN
Timing: Week 3–4 after emergence
Bags/acre: 1
Apply when plants are 15–20cm tall, before earthing up
Fertilizer Prices
DAPKES 2,500
CANKES 2,500
NPK 17:17:17KES 2,500
UreaKES 2,500
LimeKES 1,500
Subsidized price / 50kg bag