Growing Okra in Wajir

Soil suitability analysis based on Wajir's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Wajir is poorly suited to Okra. Wajir's soil (pH 8.4, alkaline) gives Okra a suitability score of 9/100. Match fertilizer to Wajir's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Wajir County is a challenging environment for Okra (soil-match score 9/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.4 the soil sits above Okra'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 medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Okra prefers loam soils, while Wajir is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Wajir receives approximately 200 mm/year — well below Okra's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Okra is the #20 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Wajir County. Okra's full potential is about 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Wajir's 9/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 563 kg/acre (~KES 33,780/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Wajir's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.

9Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorWajir soilOkra needsStatus
pH8.467.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.52 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgLow
Phosphorus39.3 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium396 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall200 mm500–1,200 mmLow
Altitude250 m0–1,300 mOK

Planting calendar for Wajir

Long Rains· MarchMay

March
Direct Sowing & Basal
April
Top Dressing & Pest Control
May
Continuous Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecemberMain season here

October
Direct Sowing & Basal
November
Top Dressing
December
Continuous Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and 6
Instruction
Top-dress lightly — excess nitrogen delays pod set.
Bags per acre in Wajir
0.50.4

Wajir's nitrogen (0.52 g/kg) is 65% of the 0.8 g/kg Okra needs, so the standard 0.4 bags/acre is raised to 0.5. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Wajir563 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 33,780/acre
Adjusted for Wajir's 9/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Okra can reach 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/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