Growing Kale (Sukuma Wiki) in Kericho
Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile
Yes — Kericho is well suited to Kale (Sukuma Wiki). Kericho's soil (pH 5.94, slightly acidic) gives Kale (Sukuma Wiki) a suitability score of 93/100. Match fertilizer to Kericho's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kericho County is well suited to Kale (Sukuma Wiki), scoring 93/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.94 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Kale (Sukuma Wiki) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay soils suit Kale (Sukuma Wiki), which favours clay loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Kale (Sukuma Wiki) is the single best-matched crop of the 106 we assess for Kericho County. At current prices (about KES 20/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Kale (Sukuma Wiki) crop here can gross roughly KES 240,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kericho soil | Kale (Sukuma Wiki) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.94 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.34 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.7 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 225 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,800 mm | 700–1,800 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 2,000 m | 500–2,500 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kericho
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
Kericho's nitrogen (1.34 g/kg) already meets Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Kericho
Varieties suited to Kericho's 2,000 m altitude and 1,800 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 kale (sukuma wiki) varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag