Growing Grapes in Uasin Gishu

Soil suitability analysis based on Uasin Gishu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Uasin Gishu is moderately suited to Grapes. Uasin Gishu's soil (pH 6.39, slightly acidic) gives Grapes a suitability score of 63/100. Match fertilizer to Uasin Gishu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Uasin Gishu County is a solid choice for Grapes, with a soil-match score of 63/100. Local soils average pH 6.39 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Grapes prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.56 g/kg), phosphorus (25.3 mg/kg) and potassium (227 mg/kg) all meet Grapes's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Grapes, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Grapes is the #76 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Uasin Gishu County. Grapes's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 1,200,000/acre at KES 150/kg), but at Uasin Gishu's 63/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 6,300 kg/acre (~KES 945,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

63Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorUasin Gishu soilGrapes needsStatus
pH6.3967.5OK
Nitrogen1.56 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.3 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium227 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,100 mm500–1,000 mmHigh
Altitude2,100 m0–1,800 mHigh

Planting calendar for Uasin Gishu

Long Rains· AprilJuneMain season here

April
Pruning & Bud Break & Basal
May
Training & Top Dressing
June
Fruit Set & Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Pruning & Bud Break
November
Training & Top Dressing
December
Fruit Set & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
At bud break and fruit set
Instruction
Add potassium at veraison for sugar and colour. Avoid late nitrogen.
Bags per acre in Uasin Gishu
0.5

Uasin Gishu's nitrogen (1.56 g/kg) already meets Grapes's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 150/kg
Expected yield in Uasin Gishu6,300 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 945,000/acre
Adjusted for Uasin Gishu's 63/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Grapes can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 1,200,000/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(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