Growing Oilseed Rape (Canola) in Lamu

Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile

Lamu County is a challenging environment for Oilseed Rape (Canola) (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–7.5 band Oilseed Rape (Canola) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Oilseed Rape (Canola) prefers loam soils, while Lamu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 10 m, the county sits below Oilseed Rape (Canola)'s preferred altitude range (1500–2800 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. Oilseed Rape (Canola)'s full potential is about 1,000 kg/acre (~KES 60,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Lamu's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

0Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorLamu soilOilseed Rape (Canola) needsStatus
pH6.315.87.5OK
Nitrogen0.74 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus9.6 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium117 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall600 mm400–900 mmOK
Altitude10 m1,500–2,800 mLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Land Prep & Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Top Dressing & Weeding
Month 3
Flowering & Pod Fill & Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Land Prep & Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Top Dressing & Weeding
Month 3
Flowering & Pod Fill & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4 and at stem elongation
Instruction
Sulfur-demanding — prefer Ammonium Sulphate. Add boron at flowering for pod set.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Lamu0 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 0/acre
Adjusted for Lamu's 0/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Oilseed Rape (Canola) can reach 1,000 kg/acre (~KES 60,000/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