Growing Radish in Siaya

Soil suitability analysis based on Siaya's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Siaya is moderately suited to Radish. Siaya's soil (pH 5.33, strongly acidic) gives Radish a suitability score of 61/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Siaya County is a solid choice for Radish, with a soil-match score of 61/100. At an average pH of 5.33 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. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.2 g/kg, P 12.1 mg/kg, K 134 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Radish prefers sandy loam soils, while Siaya is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Radish is the #64 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Siaya County. Radish's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 320,000/acre at KES 40/kg), but at Siaya'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

FactorSiaya soilRadish needsStatus
pH5.3367.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.2 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.1 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium134 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,200 mm500–1,000 mmHigh
Altitude1,200 m500–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar for Siaya

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

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

Short Rains· SeptemberNovember

September
Direct Sowing & Basal
October
Thinning
November
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 Siaya
0.250.2

Siaya's nitrogen (1.2 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 Siaya6,100 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 244,000/acre
Adjusted for Siaya'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