Growing Cauliflower in Baringo

Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile

Cauliflower can be grown in Baringo County, but the soil scores 49/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.22 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Cauliflower prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet Cauliflower's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Cauliflower, which favours loam. Cauliflower's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Baringo's 49/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 6,125 kg/acre (~KES 367,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

49Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBaringo soilCauliflower needsStatus
pH6.2267.5OK
Nitrogen1.32 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.4 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium212 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall700 mm700–1,500 mmOK
Altitude900 m1,200–2,800 mLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal DAP
Month 2
Top Dressing CAN & Boron Spray
Month 3
Head Formation & Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Top Dressing & Pest Control
Month 3
Curd Development & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and 6 after transplanting
Instruction
Apply boron foliar at 4 weeks to prevent hollow stem. Avoid excess nitrogen after curd set.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Baringo6,125 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 367,500/acre
Adjusted for Baringo's 49/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Cauliflower can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag