Growing Oilseed Rape (Canola) in Nairobi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile

Nairobi County is well suited to Oilseed Rape (Canola), scoring 90/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.85 — neutral and inside the 5.8–7.5 band Oilseed Rape (Canola) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 1.1 g/kg, P 22.1 mg/kg, K 236 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Oilseed Rape (Canola), which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 60/kg) and a typical 1,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Oilseed Rape (Canola) crop here can gross roughly KES 60,000 per acre.

90Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNairobi soilOilseed Rape (Canola) needsStatus
pH6.855.87.5OK
Nitrogen1.1 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus22.1 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium236 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall900 mm400–900 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m1,500–2,800 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Land Prep & Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Top Dressing & Weeding
Month 3
Flowering & Pod Fill & Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Land Prep & Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Top Dressing & Weeding
Month 3
Flowering & Pod Fill & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4 and at stem elongation
Instruction
Sulfur-demanding — prefer Ammonium Sulphate. Add boron at flowering for pod set.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield 1,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 60,000/acre

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