Growing Chilies in West Pokot

Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile

Chilies can be grown in West Pokot County, but the soil scores 55/100 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 Chilies prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Chilies's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Chilies, which favours sandy loam. At 1500 m, the county sits above Chilies's preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Chilies's full potential is about 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 412,500/acre at KES 165/kg), but at West Pokot's 55/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,719 kg/acre (~KES 283,635/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.