Growing Cauliflower in Kakamega

Soil suitability analysis based on Kakamega's nutrient profile

Cauliflower can be grown in Kakamega County, but the soil scores 57/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.63 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Cauliflower's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 147 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. 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 Kakamega's 57/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 7,125 kg/acre (~KES 427,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

57Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKakamega soilCauliflower needsStatus
pH5.6367.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.01 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus14 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium147 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,900 mm700–1,500 mmHigh
Altitude1,500 m1,200–2,800 mOK

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 Kakamega7,125 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 427,500/acre
Adjusted for Kakamega's 57/100 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