Growing Cabbage in Mandera

Soil suitability analysis based on Mandera's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Mandera is poorly suited to Cabbage. Mandera's soil (pH 8.38, alkaline) gives Cabbage a suitability score of 0/100. Match fertilizer to Mandera's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Mandera County is a challenging environment for Cabbage (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.38 the soil sits above Cabbage's preferred 5–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.53 g/kg, P 38.3 mg/kg, K 420 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Cabbage prefers clay loam soils, while Mandera is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Mandera receives approximately 180 mm/year — well below Cabbage's minimum of 700 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cabbage is the #83 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mandera County. Cabbage's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre at KES 18/kg), but at Mandera's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Mandera's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.

0Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMandera soilCabbage needsStatus
pH8.3857.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.53 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus38.3 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium420 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall180 mm700–1,500 mmLow
Altitude250 m800–2,500 mLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & Caterpillar Control
Month 3
Head Formation & Pest Scouting

Short Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting
Month 2
Top Dressing & Pest Control
Month 3
Harvesting

Dry Season

Month 1
Irrigation-based Transplanting
Month 2
Top Dressing & Pest Management
Month 3
Harvesting & Land Preparation

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and Week 6 after transplanting
Instruction
Split into 2 applications. Cabbage is a heavy N feeder.
Bags per Acre
1

Recommended seed varieties

Gloria F1Medium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 70-85 days · 15–20 tons/acre
Compact heads; tolerant to black rot.
Copenhagen MarketMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 80-95 days · 12.5–17.5 tons/acre
Round heads; reliable open-pollinated variety.

Economics

Market priceKES 18/kg
Expected yield in Mandera0 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 0/acre
Adjusted for Mandera's 0/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Cabbage can reach 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureClay Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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