Growing Oats in Mombasa
Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile
Mombasa County is a challenging environment for Oats (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Oats prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.95 g/kg, P 8.4 mg/kg, K 136 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Oats prefers loam soils, while Mombasa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 50 m, the county sits below Oats's preferred altitude range (1800–3000 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. Oats's full potential is about 1,600 kg/acre (~KES 64,000/acre at KES 40/kg), but at Mombasa's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Mombasa soil | Oats needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.24 | 5.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.95 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 8.4 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 136 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,000 mm | 500–1,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 50 m | 1,800–3,000 m | Low |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Top dressing guide
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag