Growing Oilseed Rape (Canola) in Mombasa
Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Mombasa is poorly suited to Oilseed Rape (Canola). Mombasa's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Oilseed Rape (Canola) a suitability score of 0/100. Match fertilizer to Mombasa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Mombasa County is a challenging environment for Oilseed Rape (Canola) (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 5.8–7.5 band Oilseed Rape (Canola) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.95 g/kg, P 8.4 mg/kg, K 136 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Oilseed Rape (Canola) prefers loam soils, while Mombasa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 50 m, the county sits below Oilseed Rape (Canola)'s preferred altitude range (1500–2800 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Oilseed Rape (Canola) is the #96 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mombasa County. Oilseed Rape (Canola)'s full potential is about 1,000 kg/acre (~KES 60,000/acre at KES 60/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.
Better matched to Mombasa's soil: Finger Millet, Cashew Nuts, and Napier Grass — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Mombasa soil | Oilseed Rape (Canola) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.24 | 5.8–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.95 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 8.4 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 136 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,000 mm | 400–900 mm | High |
| Altitude | 50 m | 1,500–2,800 m | Low |
Planting calendar for Mombasa
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Top dressing guide
Mombasa's nitrogen (0.95 g/kg) is 79% of the 1.2 g/kg Oilseed Rape (Canola) needs, so the standard 0.5 bags/acre is raised to 0.75. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag