Growing Radish in Nyeri

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyeri's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Nyeri is moderately suited to Radish. Nyeri's soil (pH 5.23, strongly acidic) gives Radish a suitability score of 61/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Nyeri County is a solid choice for Radish, with a soil-match score of 61/100. At an average pH of 5.23 the soil is moderately acidic, below Radish's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.09 g/kg), phosphorus (15.5 mg/kg) and potassium (192 mg/kg) all meet Radish's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Radish prefers sandy loam soils, while Nyeri is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Radish is the #67 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyeri County. Radish's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 320,000/acre at KES 40/kg), but at Nyeri's 61/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 6,100 kg/acre (~KES 244,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

61Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNyeri soilRadish needsStatus
pH5.2367.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.09 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus15.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium192 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm500–1,000 mmHigh
Altitude1,700 m500–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar for Nyeri

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

March
Direct Sowing & Basal
April
Thinning & Top Dressing
May
Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Direct Sowing & Basal
November
Thinning
December
Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2
Instruction
Fast crop — one light top-dress is enough. Excess nitrogen grows leaf not root.
Bags per acre in Nyeri
0.250.2

Nyeri's nitrogen (1.09 g/kg) already meets Radish's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield in Nyeri6,100 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 244,000/acre
Adjusted for Nyeri's 61/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Radish can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 320,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy 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