Fertilizer Guide for Kenyan Farmers: Which to Use and When

Fertilizer is one of the biggest costs in crop farming — and one of the most misused. Wrong fertilizer, wrong timing, or wrong rate can waste thousands of shillings or even damage your crop. This guide breaks down the main fertilizers used in Kenya and how to use them correctly.

The Two Main Types of Fertilizer

1. Basal (Planting) Fertilizers

Applied at planting time, placed in the furrow or planting hole. These provide nutrients as the seedling establishes.

Main options: DAP, NPK blends (like 17:17:17, 23:23:0)

2. Top-Dressing Fertilizers

Applied to growing crops, usually 3–6 weeks after planting. These feed the plant during active growth.

Main options: CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate), Urea, Sulphate of Ammonia

Common Fertilizers in Kenya

DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) — 18:46:0

Contains: 18% Nitrogen, 46% Phosphorus
Use: Basal application for maize, wheat, barley, beans, potatoes, and most vegetables
Rate for maize: 50kg/acre (one 50kg bag per acre)
How to apply: Place in the planting furrow, cover with soil before placing the seed (don't let seed touch fertilizer — it burns)
Price: ~KES 5,500–6,500 per 50kg bag (2025 prices, check current market)

DAP is the most widely used basal fertilizer in Kenya. Good for phosphorus-deficient soils (which is most Kenyan soils).

CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate) — 26:0:0

Contains: 26% Nitrogen, plus calcium and magnesium
Use: Top-dressing maize, wheat, vegetables
Rate for maize: 50kg/acre, applied when maize is knee-high (about 3–4 weeks after planting)
How to apply: Broadcast between rows or side-place and cover
Price: ~KES 3,500–4,500 per 50kg bag

CAN is the standard top-dress for cereals. The calcium content also benefits soil health.

Urea — 46:0:0

Contains: 46% Nitrogen (highest of any straight N fertilizer)
Use: Top-dressing any nitrogen-hungry crop — maize, sugarcane, vegetables
Rate: 25–30kg/acre (lower rate than CAN because of higher N content)
Important: Urea must be incorporated into soil or used just before rain — it volatilises in heat and you lose nitrogen to the air
Price: ~KES 3,800–4,500 per 50kg bag

Urea gives the highest nitrogen per shilling but requires care in application.

NPK Blends (e.g. 17:17:17, 23:23:0)

Contains: Balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
Use: Good for vegetables, horticulture, and crops needing all three nutrients
Rate: Varies — follow the label for your specific crop
When to use: When soil analysis shows deficiency in multiple nutrients

Sulphate of Ammonia (SA) — 21:0:0

Contains: 21% Nitrogen + sulphur
Use: Top-dressing for sulphur-deficient soils (common in high-rainfall areas)
Good for tea, coffee, vegetables in acidic soils

How to Choose the Right Fertilizer

The simple approach:

Planting time: Use DAP (or NPK blend for vegetables)
Top-dressing: Use CAN or urea

The smart approach: Get a soil test before buying fertilizer. Kenya has large variation in soil nutrient status. A soil test from KALRO or a private lab costs KES 1,500–3,000 and can save you far more in fertilizer you didn't need to buy.

Fertilizer Rates for Common Kenyan Crops

Crop	Basal	Top-dressing
Maize	DAP: 50 kg/acre	CAN: 50 kg/acre at knee-height
Wheat	DAP: 50 kg/acre	CAN: 50 kg/acre at tillering
Beans	DAP: 30–40 kg/acre	Usually not needed (fixes N)
Potatoes	NPK 23:23:0: 200 kg/acre	CAN: 100 kg/acre
Tomatoes	DAP: 50 kg/acre	CAN + foliar programme
Cabbage	DAP: 50 kg/acre	CAN: 50 kg/acre twice

These are general guides. Rates vary with soil type and yield target.

Organic Fertilizer Options

Farmyard Manure (FYM)

Cattle manure: 20–30 tonnes/ha
Chicken (broiler) manure: 5–10 tonnes/ha (higher nutrient content)
Apply 2–3 weeks before planting — fresh manure burns roots
Composted manure is better — more stable, less risk of pathogens

Compost

Make from crop residues, kitchen waste, animal manure
Takes 8–12 weeks
Improves soil structure and water retention beyond just nutrients

Integrating organic and inorganic: The best approach. Use manure/compost to build soil organic matter, use inorganic fertilizer to top up specific nutrients. You can reduce inorganic fertilizer rates when using good organic inputs.

Fertilizer Subsidies in Kenya

The government has periodically subsidised fertilizer through e-voucher systems. Check with your county agriculture office or co-operative society for current subsidy programmes — you may qualify for subsidised DAP or CAN.

Buying Fertilizer Wisely

Buy in bulk at the start of the season — prices rise as planting season peaks
Buy from certified agro-vets or co-operatives — counterfeit fertilizer is a real problem in Kenya
Check the bag — inspect for correct seal, KEBS mark, and expiry date
Store properly — keep dry, off the ground, away from direct sunlight. Clumping = moisture absorbed.
Compare prices — prices vary widely between suppliers. Browse farm input sellers on Agrisoko