Growing Turmeric in Mombasa

Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile

Mombasa County is well suited to Turmeric, scoring 75/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Turmeric 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/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Turmeric prefers loam soils, while Mombasa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Turmeric crop here can gross roughly KES 480,000 per acre.

75Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMombasa soilTurmeric needsStatus
pH6.245.57.5OK
Nitrogen0.95 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus8.4 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium136 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,000 mm1,000–2,000 mmOK
Altitude50 m0–1,500 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Rhizome Planting & Basal
Month 2
Earthing Up & Top Dressing
Month 3
Rhizome Bulking

Short Rains

Month 1
Rhizome Planting & Basal
Month 2
Earthing Up & Top Dressing
Month 3
Rhizome Bulking

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 6 and at rhizome bulking
Instruction
Earth up and top-dress at bulking. Add potassium for rhizome size.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Economics

Market priceKES 80/kg
Expected yield in Mombasa5,625 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 450,000/acre
Adjusted for Mombasa's 75/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Turmeric can reach 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 480,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

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