Growing Eggplant in Kilifi

Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile

Kilifi County is a challenging environment for Eggplant (soil-match score 7/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Eggplant prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.8 g/kg, P 11 mg/kg, K 109 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Eggplant, which favours loam. At 150 m, the county sits below Eggplant's preferred altitude range (500–1800 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Eggplant crop here can gross roughly KES 400,000 per acre.