ShambaIQ

Growing Kale (Sukuma Wiki) in West Pokot

Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — West Pokot is well suited to Kale (Sukuma Wiki). West Pokot's soil (pH 6.04, slightly acidic) gives Kale (Sukuma Wiki) a suitability score of 94/100. Match fertilizer to West Pokot's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

West Pokot County is well suited to Kale (Sukuma Wiki), scoring 94/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.04 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Kale (Sukuma Wiki) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Kale (Sukuma Wiki) prefers clay loam soils, while West Pokot is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 20/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Kale (Sukuma Wiki) crop here can gross roughly KES 240,000 per acre.

94Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorWest Pokot soilKale (Sukuma Wiki) needsStatus
pH6.045–7OK
Nitrogen1.67 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus24.8 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium211 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,000 mm700–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,500 m500–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
First Harvest & Top Dressing
Month 3
Continuous Harvesting & Top Dressing

Short Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & Pest Control
Month 3
Continuous Harvesting

Dry Season

Month 1
Irrigation & Continuous Harvesting
Month 2
Top Dressing Every 3 Weeks
Month 3
Replanting if stand is old

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Every 3 weeks after first harvest
Instruction
Kale is a heavy feeder. Regular top dressing is critical for continuous harvest.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Thousand HeadedMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 60-70 days · 5–6 tons/acre
Continuous harvesting up to 9 months.
Collard Mfalme F1Medium/Highland
Royal Seeds · 45-60 days · 7–8 tons/acre
High yielding hybrid; soft large leaves.

Economics

Market priceKES 20/kg
Expected yield 12,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 240,000/acre
Preferred textureClay 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

Related

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