Growing Parsley in Taita Taveta

Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile

Parsley can be grown in Taita Taveta County, but the soil scores 46/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Parsley prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 12.9 mg/kg, K 104 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly loam soils suit Parsley, which favours loam. Parsley's full potential is about 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 400,000/acre at KES 100/kg), but at Taita Taveta's 46/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 2,300 kg/acre (~KES 230,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

46Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTaita Taveta soilParsley needsStatus
pH6.6467.5OK
Nitrogen0.97 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus12.9 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium104 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall500 mm600–1,200 mmLow
Altitude700 m800–2,400 mLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Thinning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Continuous Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Thinning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Continuous Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and week 6
Instruction
Two light applications sustain continuous leaf harvest.
Bags per Acre
0.3

Economics

Market priceKES 100/kg
Expected yield in Taita Taveta2,300 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 230,000/acre
Adjusted for Taita Taveta's 46/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Parsley can reach 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 400,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

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