Growing Cauliflower in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Kericho is moderately suited to Cauliflower. Kericho's soil (pH 5.94, slightly acidic) gives Cauliflower a suitability score of 73/100. Match fertilizer to Kericho's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kericho County is a solid choice for Cauliflower, with a soil-match score of 73/100. At an average pH of 5.94 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. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Cauliflower's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cauliflower prefers loam soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cauliflower is the #32 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kericho County. At current prices (about KES 60/kg) and a typical 10,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cauliflower crop here can gross roughly KES 600,000 per acre.

73Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKericho soilCauliflower needsStatus
pH5.9467.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.34 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.7 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium225 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,800 mm700–1,500 mmHigh
Altitude2,000 m1,200–2,800 mOK

Planting calendar for Kericho

Long Rains· AprilJuneMain season here

April
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal DAP
May
Top Dressing CAN & Boron Spray
June
Head Formation & Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal
November
Top Dressing & Pest Control
December
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 in Kericho
0.5

Kericho's nitrogen (1.34 g/kg) already meets Cauliflower's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Kericho9,125 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 547,500/acre
Adjusted for Kericho's 73/100 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(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