Growing Kale (Sukuma Wiki) in Narok

Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Narok is well suited to Kale (Sukuma Wiki). Narok's soil (pH 6.13, slightly acidic) gives Kale (Sukuma Wiki) a suitability score of 93/100. Match fertilizer to Narok's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Narok County is well suited to Kale (Sukuma Wiki), scoring 93/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.13 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Kale (Sukuma Wiki) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 mg/kg) all meet Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Kale (Sukuma Wiki), which favours clay loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Kale (Sukuma Wiki) is the #7 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Narok County. At current prices (about KES 20/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Kale (Sukuma Wiki) crop here can gross roughly KES 240,000 per acre.

93Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNarok soilKale (Sukuma Wiki) needsStatus
pH6.1357OK
Nitrogen1.63 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium234 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall800 mm700–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m500–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar for Narok

Long Rains· AprilJuneMain season here

April
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
May
First Harvest & Top Dressing
June
Continuous Harvesting & Top Dressing

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
November
Top Dressing & Pest Control
December
Continuous Harvesting

Dry Season· FebruaryApril

February
Irrigation & Continuous Harvesting
March
Top Dressing Every 3 Weeks
April
Replanting if stand is old

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Every 3 weeks after first harvest
Instruction
Kale is a heavy feeder. Regular top dressing is critical for continuous harvest.
Bags per acre in Narok
0.5

Narok's nitrogen (1.63 g/kg) already meets Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Seed varieties for Narok

Varieties suited to Narok's 1,700 m altitude and 800 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 kale (sukuma wiki) varieties we list.

Thousand HeadedMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 60-70 days · 5–6 tons/acre
Continuous harvesting up to 9 months.
Collard Mfalme F1Medium/Highland
Royal Seeds · 45-60 days · 7–8 tons/acre
High yielding hybrid; soft large leaves.

Economics

Market priceKES 20/kg
Expected yield 12,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 240,000/acre

Preferred textureClay Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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