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. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Kale (Sukuma Wiki) is the single best-matched crop of the 106 we assess for West Pokot County. 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
pH6.0457OK
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 for West Pokot

Long Rains· AprilJuneMain season here

April
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
May
First Harvest & Top Dressing
June
Continuous Harvesting & Top Dressing

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
November
Top Dressing & Pest Control
December
Continuous Harvesting

Dry Season· FebruaryApril

February
Irrigation & Continuous Harvesting
March
Top Dressing Every 3 Weeks
April
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 in West Pokot
0.5

West Pokot's nitrogen (1.67 g/kg) already meets Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Seed varieties for West Pokot

Varieties suited to West Pokot's 1,500 m altitude and 1,000 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 kale (sukuma wiki) varieties we list.

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(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