Growing Okra in Tana River

Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile

Okra can be grown in Tana River County, but the soil scores 53/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Okra prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 1.04 g/kg, P 8.5 mg/kg, K 108 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Okra prefers loam soils, while Tana River is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Okra's full potential is about 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Tana River's 53/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 3,313 kg/acre (~KES 198,780/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

53Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTana River soilOkra needsStatus
pH6.467.5OK
Nitrogen1.04 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus8.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium108 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall400 mm500–1,200 mmLow
Altitude200 m0–1,300 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

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

Short Rains

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

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and 6
Instruction
Top-dress lightly — excess nitrogen delays pod set.
Bags per Acre
0.4

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Tana River3,313 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 198,780/acre
Adjusted for Tana River's 53/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Okra can reach 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/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