Growing Tomato 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 Tomato. Uasin Gishu's soil (pH 6.39, slightly acidic) gives Tomato a suitability score of 68/100. Match fertilizer to Uasin Gishu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Uasin Gishu County is a solid choice for Tomato, with a soil-match score of 68/100. Local soils average pH 6.39 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7 band Tomato prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.56 g/kg), phosphorus (25.3 mg/kg) and potassium (227 mg/kg) all meet Tomato's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Tomato, which favours loam. Tomato's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 750,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Uasin Gishu's 68/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 12,750 kg/acre (~KES 637,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

68Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorUasin Gishu soilTomato needsStatus
pH6.3967OK
Nitrogen1.56 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.3 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium227 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,100 mm600–1,400 mmOK
Altitude2,100 m0–1,800 mHigh

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Nursery Preparation & Transplanting
Month 2
Top Dressing & Staking & Pest Control
Month 3
Harvesting & Disease Management

Short Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Staking & Top Dressing & Pest Control
Month 3
Harvesting

Dry Season

Month 1
Land Preparation & Irrigation Setup
Month 2
Nursery (irrigated)
Month 3
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3, 6, and 9
Instruction
Split into 3 applications. Add foliar potassium at fruiting stage.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Rambo F1Medium/Highland
Royal Seeds · 75-80 days · 6–7.2 tons/acre
Determinate hybrid; excellent disease tolerance.
Money MakerMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 80-90 days · 4–4.8 tons/acre
Reliable open-pollinated variety.

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield in Uasin Gishu12,750 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 637,500/acre
Adjusted for Uasin Gishu's 68/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Tomato can reach 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 750,000/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(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