Growing Oilseed Rape (Canola) in Nakuru
Soil suitability analysis based on Nakuru's nutrient profile
Nakuru County is well suited to Oilseed Rape (Canola), scoring 91/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.28 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–7.5 band Oilseed Rape (Canola) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.59 g/kg), phosphorus (25.2 mg/kg) and potassium (239 mg/kg) all meet Oilseed Rape (Canola)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. 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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nakuru soil | Oilseed Rape (Canola) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.28 | 5.8–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.59 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.2 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 239 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 400–900 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,750 m | 1,500–2,800 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Top dressing guide
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag