Growing Radish in Mandera

Soil suitability analysis based on Mandera's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Mandera is poorly suited to Radish. Mandera's soil (pH 8.38, alkaline) gives Radish a suitability score of 2/100. Match fertilizer to Mandera's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Mandera County is a challenging environment for Radish (soil-match score 2/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.38 the soil sits above Radish's preferred 6–7.5 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 medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Radish, which favours sandy loam. Mandera receives approximately 180 mm/year — well below Radish's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Radish is the #56 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mandera County. Radish's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 320,000/acre at KES 40/kg), but at Mandera's 2/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 200 kg/acre (~KES 8,000/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.

2Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMandera soilRadish needsStatus
pH8.3867.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.53 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgLow
Phosphorus38.3 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium420 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall180 mm500–1,000 mmLow
Altitude250 m500–2,500 mLow

Planting calendar for Mandera

Long Rains· MarchMay

March
Direct Sowing & Basal
April
Thinning & Top Dressing
May
Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecemberMain season here

October
Direct Sowing & Basal
November
Thinning
December
Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2
Instruction
Fast crop — one light top-dress is enough. Excess nitrogen grows leaf not root.
Bags per acre in Mandera
0.250.2

Mandera's nitrogen (0.53 g/kg) is 66% of the 0.8 g/kg Radish needs, so the standard 0.2 bags/acre is raised to 0.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.

Economics

Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield in Mandera200 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 8,000/acre
Adjusted for Mandera's 2/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Radish can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 320,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy 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