Growing Chilies in Uasin Gishu
Soil suitability analysis based on Uasin Gishu's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Uasin Gishu is poorly suited to Chilies. Uasin Gishu's soil (pH 6.39, slightly acidic) gives Chilies a suitability score of 30/100. Match fertilizer to Uasin Gishu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Uasin Gishu County is a challenging environment for Chilies (soil-match score 30/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.39 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Chilies prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.56 g/kg), phosphorus (25.3 mg/kg) and potassium (227 mg/kg) all meet Chilies's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Chilies prefers sandy loam soils, while Uasin Gishu is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 2100 m, the county sits above Chilies's preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Chilies is the #100 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Uasin Gishu County. Chilies's full potential is about 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 412,500/acre at KES 165/kg), but at Uasin Gishu's 30/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 938 kg/acre (~KES 154,770/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Uasin Gishu's soil: Beans, Snow Peas, and Napier Grass — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Uasin Gishu soil | Chilies needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.39 | 6–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.56 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.3 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 227 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,100 mm | 500–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 2,100 m | 0–1,200 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Uasin Gishu's nitrogen (1.56 g/kg) already meets Chilies's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Uasin Gishu's 2,100 m altitude and 1,100 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag