Growing Chilies in Kisumu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile

Kisumu County is a solid choice for Chilies, with a soil-match score of 72/100. At an average pH of 5.54 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Chilies's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (0.91 g/kg), phosphorus (12.5 mg/kg) and potassium (166 mg/kg) all meet Chilies's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Chilies prefers sandy loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 165/kg) and a typical 1,800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Chilies crop here can gross roughly KES 297,000 per acre.

72Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientKisumu soilChilies needsStatus
pH5.5467.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.91 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium166 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Every 4 weeks during harvest
Instruction
Apply nitrogen to support continuous leaf and pepper setting.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Pilipili KichaaDryland/Medium
Local/KALRO · 90-120 days · 20-30 bags/acre
Very pungent; high market demand; drought tolerant.
Cayenne LongMedium
Simlaw Seeds · 80-100 days · 25-35 bags/acre
High yield; good for drying and fresh market.

Economics

Market priceKES 165/kg
Expected yield1,800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 297,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag