Growing Lettuce in Homa Bay

Soil suitability analysis based on Homa Bay's nutrient profile

Homa Bay County is a solid choice for Lettuce, with a soil-match score of 70/100. At an average pH of 5.27 the soil is moderately acidic, below Lettuce's preferred 6–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 1.05 g/kg, P 13.8 mg/kg, K 147 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Lettuce, which favours loam. Lettuce's full potential is about 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 350,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Homa Bay's 70/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 6,125 kg/acre (~KES 306,250/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

70Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorHoma Bay soilLettuce needsStatus
pH5.2767Adjust
Nitrogen1.05 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus13.8 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium147 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,100 mm600–1,200 mmOK
Altitude1,200 m800–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting
Month 2
Top Dressing & Weeding
Month 3
Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Thinning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2 and 4 after transplanting
Instruction
Light feeder — split into two small applications to avoid bitterness.
Bags per Acre
0.3

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield in Homa Bay6,125 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 306,250/acre
Adjusted for Homa Bay's 70/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Lettuce can reach 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 350,000/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