Growing Leek in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Kericho is moderately suited to Leek. Kericho's soil (pH 5.94, slightly acidic) gives Leek a suitability score of 62/100. Match fertilizer to Kericho's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kericho County is a solid choice for Leek, with a soil-match score of 62/100. At an average pH of 5.94 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Leek'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 Leek's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Leek prefers loam soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Leek is the #55 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kericho County. Leek's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Kericho's 62/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 7,750 kg/acre (~KES 465,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

62Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKericho soilLeek 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
Rainfall1,800 mm600–1,200 mmHigh
Altitude2,000 m800–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar for Kericho

Long Rains· AprilJuneMain season here

April
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal
May
Earthing Up & Top Dressing
June
Blanching & Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal
November
Earthing Up & Top Dressing
December
Blanching & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4 and week 8
Instruction
Earth up and top-dress to blanch the stems. Steady nitrogen for length.
Bags per acre in Kericho
0.50.4

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

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Kericho7,750 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 465,000/acre
Adjusted for Kericho's 62/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Leek 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