Growing Garlic in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Kericho County is a challenging environment for Garlic (soil-match score 41/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 5.94 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Garlic'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 Garlic's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Garlic prefers sandy loam soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 275/kg) and a typical 1,800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Garlic crop here can gross roughly KES 495,000 per acre.

41Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientKericho soilGarlic needsStatus
pH5.9467.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.34 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium225 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and Week 6 after emergence
Instruction
Heavy feeding required before bulbs form. Supplement with sulfur.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Early PinkMedium/Highland
Local/KALRO · 120-150 days · 20-30 bags/acre
Good bulb size; pungent flavor; stores well.
Purple StripeHighland
Local · 130-160 days · 18-26 bags/acre
High allicin content; excellent storage; suited to cold highlands.

Economics

Market priceKES 275/kg
Expected yield1,800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 495,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag