Growing Wheat in Mombasa

Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile

Mombasa County is a challenging environment for Wheat (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 6–7.5 band Wheat 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. Wheat prefers clay soils, while Mombasa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 50 m, the county sits below Wheat's preferred altitude range (1800–3000 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 1,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Wheat crop here can gross roughly KES 50,000 per acre.

0Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientMombasa soilWheat needsStatus
pH6.2467.5OK
Nitrogen0.95 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus8.4 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium136 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Drilling Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & Weed Control
Month 3
Pest Monitoring & Protection

Short Rains

Month 1
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & Weed Control
Month 3
Pest Monitoring

Dry Season

Month 1
Post-Harvest Processing
Month 2
Land Resting
Month 3
Dry Planting Preparation

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Tillering stage (Week 3–4)
Instruction
Apply at tillering for maximum tiller development
Bags per Acre
1

Recommended seed varieties

KS MwambaHighland
Kenya Seed Company · 130-150 days · 30-35 bags/acre
Stem rust resistant; strong lodging resistance.
RobinHighland
KALRO · 120-140 days · 28-32 bags/acre
Consistent performance across environments.

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield1,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 50,000/acre

Preferred textureClay

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag