Growing Radish in Kilifi

Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile

Kilifi County is a challenging environment for Radish (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 6–7.5 band Radish 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 Radish, which favours sandy loam. At 150 m, the county sits below Radish's preferred altitude range (500–2500 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. Radish's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 320,000/acre at KES 40/kg), but at Kilifi's 7/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 700 kg/acre (~KES 28,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

7Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKilifi soilRadish needsStatus
pH6.2467.5OK
Nitrogen0.8 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus11 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium109 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall700 mm500–1,000 mmOK
Altitude150 m500–2,500 mLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Thinning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Thinning
Month 3
Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2
Instruction
Fast crop — one light top-dress is enough. Excess nitrogen grows leaf not root.
Bags per Acre
0.2

Economics

Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield in Kilifi700 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 28,000/acre
Adjusted for Kilifi's 7/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Radish can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 320,000/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