Growing Radish in Uasin Gishu

Soil suitability analysis based on Uasin Gishu's nutrient profile

Uasin Gishu County is well suited to Radish, scoring 87/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.39 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Radish prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.56 g/kg), phosphorus (25.3 mg/kg) and potassium (227 mg/kg) all meet Radish's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Radish prefers sandy loam soils, while Uasin Gishu is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 40/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Radish crop here can gross roughly KES 320,000 per acre.

87Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorUasin Gishu soilRadish needsStatus
pH6.3967.5OK
Nitrogen1.56 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.3 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium227 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,100 mm500–1,000 mmHigh
Altitude2,100 m500–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Thinning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Thinning
Month 3
Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2
Instruction
Fast crop — one light top-dress is enough. Excess nitrogen grows leaf not root.
Bags per Acre
0.2

Economics

Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield 8,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 320,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

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