Growing Lettuce in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Trans Nzoia County is well suited to Lettuce, scoring 88/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.93 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Lettuce's preferred 6–7 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 Lettuce's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Lettuce, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 7,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lettuce crop here can gross roughly KES 350,000 per acre.