Growing Beetroot in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Trans Nzoia is well suited to Beetroot. Trans Nzoia's soil (pH 5.93, slightly acidic) gives Beetroot a suitability score of 82/100. Match fertilizer to Trans Nzoia's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Trans Nzoia County is well suited to Beetroot, scoring 82/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.93 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Beetroot's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Beetroot's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Beetroot, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Beetroot is the #58 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Trans Nzoia County. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 10,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Beetroot crop here can gross roughly KES 500,000 per acre.

82Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTrans Nzoia soilBeetroot needsStatus
pH5.9367.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.68 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus27.3 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium213 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm500–1,200 mmOK
Altitude1,900 m800–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar for Trans Nzoia

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

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

Short Rains· AugustOctober

August
Direct Sowing & Basal
September
Thinning & Top Dressing
October
Root Bulking & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and week 6
Instruction
Add potassium for root bulking. Boron foliar prevents internal black spot.
Bags per acre in Trans Nzoia
0.50.4

Trans Nzoia's nitrogen (1.68 g/kg) already meets Beetroot's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield 10,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 500,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

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