Growing Baby Corn in Machakos
Soil suitability analysis based on Machakos's nutrient profile
Machakos County is well suited to Baby Corn, scoring 80/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 7.03 the soil sits above Baby Corn's preferred 5.8–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.82 g/kg, P 31.4 mg/kg, K 338 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Baby Corn, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Baby Corn crop here can gross roughly KES 320,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Machakos soil | Baby Corn needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.03 | 5.8–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.82 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 31.4 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 338 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 700 mm | 500–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,100 m | 0–2,100 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Land Prep & Planting & Basal
Month 2
Top Dressing
Month 3
De-tasseling & Harvest
Short Rains
Month 1
Land Prep & Planting & Basal
Month 2
Top Dressing
Month 3
De-tasseling & Harvest
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4 at knee-high
Instruction
Top-dress once; harvest young before pollination for tender cobs.
Bags per Acre
0.4
Economics
Market priceKES 80/kg
Expected yield 4,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 320,000/acre
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