Growing Dhania in Turkana

Soil suitability analysis based on Turkana's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Turkana is poorly suited to Dhania. Turkana's soil (pH 7.95, alkaline) gives Dhania a suitability score of 24/100. Match fertilizer to Turkana's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Turkana County is a challenging environment for Dhania (soil-match score 24/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.95 the soil sits above Dhania's preferred 6–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.41 g/kg, P 38.5 mg/kg, K 417 mg/kg against this crop's low/low/low demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Dhania prefers loam soils, while Turkana is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Turkana receives approximately 300 mm/year — well below Dhania's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Dhania's full potential is about 1,500 kg/acre (~KES 112,500/acre at KES 75/kg), but at Turkana's 24/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 450 kg/acre (~KES 33,750/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

24Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTurkana soilDhania needsStatus
pH7.9567.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.41 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgLow
Phosphorus38.5 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium417 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall300 mm500–1,000 mmLow
Altitude400 m0–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Short season crop. No top dressing needed if basal DAP was applied at planting.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

Desi CorianderMedium/Highland
Local/KALRO · 45-60 days · 10-15 bags/acre
Fast maturing; aromatic; popular in fresh and dried form.

Economics

Market priceKES 75/kg
Expected yield in Turkana450 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 33,750/acre
Adjusted for Turkana's 24/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Dhania can reach 1,500 kg/acre (~KES 112,500/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