Growing Dhania in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Makueni is well suited to Dhania. Makueni's soil (pH 7.5, alkaline) gives Dhania a suitability score of 82/100. Match fertilizer to Makueni's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Makueni County is well suited to Dhania, scoring 82/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 7.5 — alkaline and inside the 6–7.5 band Dhania prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.86 g/kg), phosphorus (29.6 mg/kg) and potassium (351 mg/kg) all meet Dhania's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Dhania, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 75/kg) and a typical 1,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Dhania crop here can gross roughly KES 112,500 per acre.

82Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMakueni soilDhania needsStatus
pH7.567.5OK
Nitrogen0.86 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus29.6 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium351 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall600 mm500–1,000 mmOK
Altitude1,000 m0–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Short season crop. No top dressing needed if basal DAP was applied at planting.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

Desi CorianderMedium/Highland
Local/KALRO · 45-60 days · 10-15 bags/acre
Fast maturing; aromatic; popular in fresh and dried form.

Economics

Market priceKES 75/kg
Expected yield 1,500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 112,500/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