Growing Moringa in Kilifi

Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile

Kilifi County is well suited to Moringa, scoring 79/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–8 band Moringa prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.8 g/kg, P 11 mg/kg, K 109 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Moringa, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 100/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Moringa crop here can gross roughly KES 400,000 per acre.

79Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKilifi soilMoringa needsStatus
pH6.2468OK
Nitrogen0.8 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus11 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium109 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall700 mm400–1,200 mmOK
Altitude150 m0–1,400 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Weeding & Pruning
Month 3
Leaf Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Weeding & Pruning
Month 3
Leaf Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Twice per year
Instruction
Drought-hardy — minimal feeding. Top-dress after heavy cuttings for leaf regrowth.
Bags per Acre
0.3

Economics

Market priceKES 100/kg
Expected yield in Kilifi3,950 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 395,000/acre
Adjusted for Kilifi's 79/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Moringa can reach 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 400,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy Loam

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