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<p>Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) production in Kenya’s acidic highland soils has been constrained by low nutrient availability, soil degradation, and high input costs, limiting profitability among smallholder farmers. This study evaluated the economic viability of integrating organic and inorganic soil amendments for potato production under acidic soil conditions. A two-season field experiment was conducted at ADC Farm, Sirikwa, Molo Subcounty, Nakuru County, Kenya, during the 2024 Short Rains and 2025 Long Rains seasons using a randomized complete block design with nine soil amendment treatments. Statistical and economic analyses were performed to assess marketable yield, net margin, benefit–cost ratio (BCR), dominance, and marginal rate of return (MRR). Results showed significant (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) treatment effects on yield and profitability. Across seasons, the integrated organic–inorganic treatment combining organic manure (OM) with NPK fertilizer (OM + NPK) achieved the highest economic performance, recording the greatest marketable yield (59.40 t ha<sup>−1</sup>), net margin (KES 2.05 million ha<sup>−1</sup>), and benefit–cost ratio (BCR 6.39). This was followed by OM + DAP and sole DAP, which also generated high returns, whereas sole NPK was only moderately profitable, while sole lime and organic manure remained uneconomical (BCR &lt; 1.0). Marginal rate of return analysis demonstrated exceptionally high investment efficiency for OM + NPK, while sensitivity and working-capital analyses confirmed that this treatment remained profitable under price, cost, and yield variability. Collectively, integrating organic and inorganic soil amendments, particularly OM + NPK, substantially enhanced potato profitability and yield stability compared with sole inputs. These findings identify a financially viable and adoptable soil fertility management strategy that can improve returns and reduce economic risk for resource-constrained smallholder potato farmers in Kenya’s acid-prone highlands.</p>

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Optimized Economic Returns of Potato Cultivated under Inorganic Fertilizer Coupled with Organic Soil Amendments: An Impetus for Resource-Constrained Smallholder Farmers

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月6日

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  • Emmanuel R. Mwakidoshi,
  • Mekhled M. Alenazi,
  • Catherine Muui,
  • Esther M. Muindi,
  • Sagar Maitra,
  • Majed Alotaibi,
  • Nawab Ali,
  • Harun I. Gitari,
  • Mahmoud F. Seleiman

摘要

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in Kenya’s acidic highland soils has been constrained by low nutrient availability, soil degradation, and high input costs, limiting profitability among smallholder farmers. This study evaluated the economic viability of integrating organic and inorganic soil amendments for potato production under acidic soil conditions. A two-season field experiment was conducted at ADC Farm, Sirikwa, Molo Subcounty, Nakuru County, Kenya, during the 2024 Short Rains and 2025 Long Rains seasons using a randomized complete block design with nine soil amendment treatments. Statistical and economic analyses were performed to assess marketable yield, net margin, benefit–cost ratio (BCR), dominance, and marginal rate of return (MRR). Results showed significant (p < 0.001) treatment effects on yield and profitability. Across seasons, the integrated organic–inorganic treatment combining organic manure (OM) with NPK fertilizer (OM + NPK) achieved the highest economic performance, recording the greatest marketable yield (59.40 t ha−1), net margin (KES 2.05 million ha−1), and benefit–cost ratio (BCR 6.39). This was followed by OM + DAP and sole DAP, which also generated high returns, whereas sole NPK was only moderately profitable, while sole lime and organic manure remained uneconomical (BCR < 1.0). Marginal rate of return analysis demonstrated exceptionally high investment efficiency for OM + NPK, while sensitivity and working-capital analyses confirmed that this treatment remained profitable under price, cost, and yield variability. Collectively, integrating organic and inorganic soil amendments, particularly OM + NPK, substantially enhanced potato profitability and yield stability compared with sole inputs. These findings identify a financially viable and adoptable soil fertility management strategy that can improve returns and reduce economic risk for resource-constrained smallholder potato farmers in Kenya’s acid-prone highlands.