Growing Spinach in West Pokot

Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — West Pokot is well suited to Spinach. West Pokot's soil (pH 6.04, slightly acidic) gives Spinach a suitability score of 85/100. Match fertilizer to West Pokot's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

West Pokot County is well suited to Spinach, 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 Spinach prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Spinach's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Spinach, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 25/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Spinach crop here can gross roughly KES 200,000 per acre.

85Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorWest Pokot soilSpinach needsStatus
pH6.0467.5OK
Nitrogen1.67 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus24.8 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium211 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,000 mm600–1,400 mmOK
Altitude1,500 m0–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2-3 after transplanting
Instruction
Apply when plants are established. Spinach is a leafy crop and needs nitrogen for continuous harvest.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

ViroflayMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 40-50 days · 3–4 tons/acre
Large dark leaves; continuous harvest; heat tolerant.
Giant NobelMedium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 45-55 days · 3.5–4.5 tons/acre
Vigorous growth; smooth leaves; good market demand.

Economics

Market priceKES 25/kg
Expected yield 8,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 200,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

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