Growing Eggplant in Machakos
Soil suitability analysis based on Machakos's nutrient profile
Machakos County is well suited to Eggplant, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 7.03 the soil sits above Eggplant's preferred 5.5–7 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/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Eggplant, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Eggplant crop here can gross roughly KES 400,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Machakos soil | Eggplant needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.03 | 5.5–7 | 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 200 mg/kg | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Nursery Preparation & Transplanting & DAP Basal
Month 2
Staking & Top Dressing (CAN) & Pest Control
Month 3
Harvesting & Disease Management
Short Rains
Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & Phomopsis Scouting
Month 3
Harvesting
Dry Season
Month 1
Irrigation & Continuous Harvesting
Month 2
Top Dressing & Pruning old plants
Month 3
Replanting & Land Preparation
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3-4 then monthly
Instruction
Apply CAN 3-4 weeks after transplanting and repeat monthly through fruiting; eggplant is a long-season heavy feeder
Bags per Acre
1.5
Recommended seed varieties
Black BeautyMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 75-90 days · 6–9 tons/acre
Large oval purple fruits; popular local and export; high yielding open-pollinated.
Ravaya (Long Purple)Medium
East Africa Seeds · 70-85 days · 6.5–10 tons/acre
Long slender purple fruits; export to UK and Middle East; continuous harvest.
Florida MarketMedium/Highland
Royal Seeds · 75-90 days · 5.5–8.5 tons/acre
Glossy dark fruits; firm flesh; good transport and shelf quality.
Economics
Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield8,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 400,000/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