Growing Broccoli in West Pokot

Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — West Pokot is moderately suited to Broccoli. West Pokot's soil (pH 6.04, slightly acidic) gives Broccoli a suitability score of 59/100. Match fertilizer to West Pokot's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Broccoli can be grown in West Pokot County, but the soil scores 59/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.04 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Broccoli prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Broccoli's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Broccoli, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Broccoli is the #96 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for West Pokot County. Broccoli's full potential is about 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 540,000/acre at KES 90/kg), but at West Pokot's 59/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 4,425 kg/acre (~KES 398,250/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to West Pokot's soil: Kale (Sukuma Wiki), Finger Millet, and Groundnuts — each scores higher on the same soil.

59Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorWest Pokot soilBroccoli needsStatus
pH6.0467.5OK
Nitrogen1.67 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus24.8 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium211 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,000 mm800–1,500 mmOK
Altitude1,500 m1,800–2,800 mLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Nursery Preparation & Transplanting & DAP Basal
Month 2
CAN Top Dressing (week 3) & Caterpillar Control
Month 3
Head Initiation Top Dress & Harvesting

Short Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting
Month 2
Top Dressing & DBM Scouting
Month 3
Harvesting

Dry Season

Month 1
Irrigation-based Transplanting
Month 2
CAN Top Dressing & Pest Management
Month 3
Harvesting & Land Preparation

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 then head initiation (week 6)
Instruction
Apply 3 weeks after transplanting and again at head initiation (~week 6); broccoli needs steady N for tight heads
Bags per Acre
1.5

Recommended seed varieties

CalabreseHighland
Simlaw Seeds · 70-90 days · 2–3.5 tons/acre
Open-pollinated broccoli; central head plus side shoots; suited to cool highlands.
Green Magic F1Highland
East Africa Seeds · 60-75 days · 3–4.5 tons/acre
Hybrid; uniform dome heads; heat tolerant; export and supermarket quality.
Marathon F1Highland
Royal Seeds · 75-95 days · 2.8–4.3 tons/acre
Large dense heads; downy mildew tolerant; excellent for high-altitude production.

Economics

Market priceKES 90/kg
Expected yield in West Pokot4,425 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 398,250/acre
Adjusted for West Pokot's 59/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Broccoli can reach 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 540,000/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