Growing Strawberry in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Kericho County is well suited to Strawberry, scoring 82/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.94 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–6.8 band Strawberry prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Strawberry's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Strawberry prefers loam soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 200/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Strawberry crop here can gross roughly KES 1,200,000 per acre.

82Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKericho soilStrawberry needsStatus
pH5.945.56.8OK
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 m1,500–2,800 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Runner Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Mulching & Top Dressing
Month 3
Fruiting & Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Runner Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Mulching & Top Dressing
Month 3
Fruiting & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Every 3 weeks in season
Instruction
Split-feed through the fruiting window. Add foliar calcium and potassium for fruit quality.
Bags per Acre
0.4

Economics

Market priceKES 200/kg
Expected yield 6,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 1,200,000/acre

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