Growing Garlic in Wajir

Soil suitability analysis based on Wajir's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Wajir is poorly suited to Garlic. Wajir's soil (pH 8.4, alkaline) gives Garlic a suitability score of 8/100. Match fertilizer to Wajir's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Wajir County is a challenging environment for Garlic (soil-match score 8/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.4 the soil sits above Garlic's preferred 6–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.52 g/kg, P 39.3 mg/kg, K 396 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Garlic, which favours sandy loam. Wajir receives approximately 200 mm/year — well below Garlic's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Garlic's full potential is about 3,000 kg/acre (~KES 825,000/acre at KES 275/kg), but at Wajir's 8/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 300 kg/acre (~KES 82,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

8Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorWajir soilGarlic needsStatus
pH8.467.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.52 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus39.3 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium396 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall200 mm500–900 mmLow
Altitude250 m0–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3-4 after planting
Instruction
Apply when shoots are 15cm tall. Stop nitrogen applications once bulbing begins.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Early PinkMedium/Highland
Local/KALRO · 120-150 days · 1–1.5 tons/acre
Good bulb size; pungent flavor; stores well.
Purple StripeHighland
Local · 130-160 days · 0.9–1.3 tons/acre
High allicin content; excellent storage; suited to cold highlands.

Economics

Market priceKES 275/kg
Expected yield in Wajir300 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 82,500/acre
Adjusted for Wajir's 8/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Garlic can reach 3,000 kg/acre (~KES 825,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

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