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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kericho soil | Strawberry needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.94 | 5.5–6.8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.34 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.7 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 225 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,800 mm | 700–1,500 mm | High |
| Altitude | 2,000 m | 1,500–2,800 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Top dressing guide
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag