Growing Cabbage in Kajiado

Soil suitability analysis based on Kajiado's nutrient profile

Kajiado County is a challenging environment for Cabbage (soil-match score 44/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.55 — neutral and inside the 5–7.5 band Cabbage prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 20.6 mg/kg, K 257 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Cabbage prefers clay loam soils, while Kajiado is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Kajiado receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Cabbage's minimum of 700 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Cabbage's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre at KES 18/kg), but at Kajiado's 44/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 8,250 kg/acre (~KES 148,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

44Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKajiado soilCabbage needsStatus
pH6.5557.5OK
Nitrogen0.97 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus20.6 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium257 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall500 mm700–1,500 mmLow
Altitude1,300 m800–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & Caterpillar Control
Month 3
Head Formation & Pest Scouting

Short Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting
Month 2
Top Dressing & Pest Control
Month 3
Harvesting

Dry Season

Month 1
Irrigation-based Transplanting
Month 2
Top Dressing & Pest Management
Month 3
Harvesting & Land Preparation

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and Week 6 after transplanting
Instruction
Split into 2 applications. Cabbage is a heavy N feeder.
Bags per Acre
1

Recommended seed varieties

Gloria F1Medium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 70-85 days · 15–20 tons/acre
Compact heads; tolerant to black rot.
Copenhagen MarketMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 80-95 days · 12.5–17.5 tons/acre
Round heads; reliable open-pollinated variety.

Economics

Market priceKES 18/kg
Expected yield in Kajiado8,250 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 148,500/acre
Adjusted for Kajiado's 44/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Cabbage can reach 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureClay Loam

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