Growing Cape Gooseberry in West Pokot
Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile
West Pokot County is well suited to Cape Gooseberry, scoring 85/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.04 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Cape Gooseberry prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Cape Gooseberry's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Cape Gooseberry, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 120/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cape Gooseberry crop here can gross roughly KES 600,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | West Pokot soil | Cape Gooseberry needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.04 | 6–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.67 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 24.8 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 211 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,000 mm | 700–1,400 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 1,200–2,600 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Top dressing guide
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag