Growing Tomato in Kisumu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Kisumu is moderately suited to Tomato. Kisumu's soil (pH 5.54, slightly acidic) gives Tomato a suitability score of 68/100. Match fertilizer to Kisumu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kisumu County is a solid choice for Tomato, with a soil-match score of 68/100. At an average pH of 5.54 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Tomato's preferred 6–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.91 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Tomato prefers loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Tomato's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 750,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Kisumu's 68/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 12,750 kg/acre (~KES 637,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

68Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKisumu soilTomato needsStatus
pH5.5467Adjust
Nitrogen0.91 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus12.5 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium166 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,200 mm600–1,400 mmOK
Altitude1,150 m0–1,800 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Nursery Preparation & Transplanting
Month 2
Top Dressing & Staking & Pest Control
Month 3
Harvesting & Disease Management

Short Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Staking & Top Dressing & Pest Control
Month 3
Harvesting

Dry Season

Month 1
Land Preparation & Irrigation Setup
Month 2
Nursery (irrigated)
Month 3
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3, 6, and 9
Instruction
Split into 3 applications. Add foliar potassium at fruiting stage.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Rambo F1Medium/Highland
Royal Seeds · 75-80 days · 6–7.2 tons/acre
Determinate hybrid; excellent disease tolerance.
Money MakerMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 80-90 days · 4–4.8 tons/acre
Reliable open-pollinated variety.

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield in Kisumu12,750 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 637,500/acre
Adjusted for Kisumu's 68/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Tomato can reach 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 750,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

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