Growing Okra in Kilifi
Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile
Kilifi County is well suited to Okra, scoring 82/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Okra 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 medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Okra, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 60/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Okra crop here can gross roughly KES 300,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kilifi soil | Okra needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.24 | 6–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.8 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 11 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 109 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 700 mm | 500–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 150 m | 0–1,300 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Top Dressing & Pest Control
Month 3
Continuous Harvest
Short Rains
Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Top Dressing
Month 3
Continuous Harvest
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and 6
Instruction
Top-dress lightly — excess nitrogen delays pod set.
Bags per Acre
0.4
Economics
Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield 5,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 300,000/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