Growing Kale (Sukuma Wiki) in Baringo

Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Baringo is well suited to Kale (Sukuma Wiki). Baringo's soil (pH 6.22, slightly acidic) gives Kale (Sukuma Wiki) a suitability score of 92/100. Match fertilizer to Baringo's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Baringo County is well suited to Kale (Sukuma Wiki), scoring 92/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.22 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Kale (Sukuma Wiki) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Kale (Sukuma Wiki), which favours clay loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Kale (Sukuma Wiki) is the #9 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Baringo County. At current prices (about KES 20/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Kale (Sukuma Wiki) crop here can gross roughly KES 240,000 per acre.

92Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBaringo soilKale (Sukuma Wiki) needsStatus
pH6.2257OK
Nitrogen1.32 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.4 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium212 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall700 mm700–1,800 mmOK
Altitude900 m500–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar for Baringo

Long Rains· AprilJuneMain season here

April
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
May
First Harvest & Top Dressing
June
Continuous Harvesting & Top Dressing

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
November
Top Dressing & Pest Control
December
Continuous Harvesting

Dry Season· FebruaryApril

February
Irrigation & Continuous Harvesting
March
Top Dressing Every 3 Weeks
April
Replanting if stand is old

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Every 3 weeks after first harvest
Instruction
Kale is a heavy feeder. Regular top dressing is critical for continuous harvest.
Bags per acre in Baringo
0.5

Baringo's nitrogen (1.32 g/kg) already meets Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Recommended seed varieties

No variety in our list is specifically rated for Baringo's 900 m altitude and 700 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.

Thousand HeadedMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 60-70 days · 5–6 tons/acre
Continuous harvesting up to 9 months.
Collard Mfalme F1Medium/Highland
Royal Seeds · 45-60 days · 7–8 tons/acre
High yielding hybrid; soft large leaves.

Economics

Market priceKES 20/kg
Expected yield 12,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 240,000/acre

Preferred textureClay Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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