Growing Tomato in Kitui

Soil suitability analysis based on Kitui's nutrient profile

Tomato can be grown in Kitui County, but the soil scores 55/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 7.03 the soil sits above Tomato's preferred 6–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 30.5 mg/kg, K 339 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Tomato, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 40/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Tomato crop here can gross roughly KES 200,000 per acre.

55Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientKitui soilTomato needsStatus
pH7.0367Adjust
Nitrogen0.74 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus30.5 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium339 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK

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

Recommended seed varieties

Rambo F1Medium/Highland
Royal Seeds · 75-80 days · 150-180 bags/acre
Determinate hybrid; excellent disease tolerance.
Money MakerMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 80-90 days · 100-120 bags/acre
Reliable open-pollinated variety.

Economics

Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield5,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 200,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

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