Sugarcane farming guide — Kenya

Soil requirements

Growing conditions for Sugarcane

Sugarcane does best with 1,100–2,000 mm of rainfall a year at 0–1,500 m above sea level. In drier areas, irrigation or water harvesting closes the gap; outside the altitude band, growth and yields drop.

Optimizing soil and fertilizers for Sugarcane in Kenya

To achieve maximum yields when farming sugarcane in Kenya, managing soil suitability is crucial. This crop performs best within a soil pH range of 5.5 to 7. Soils that fall outside this range can lock out essential macro and micro-nutrients, leading to stunted growth or crop failure. For acidic soils, applying dolomitic or calcitic agricultural lime is recommended at least 30 days before planting to normalize acidity.

Fertilizer application should be calibrated based on the crop’s nutrient demands. Sugarcane has a high nitrogen requirement, medium phosphorus requirement, and high potassium demand. Using certified seed varieties suited for your specific altitude and rainfall pattern, combined with a precise basal and top-dressing program (such as applying CAN at 3-4 months after planting), ensures high crop quality and protects your overall farm investment.

How to grow sugarcane in Kenya

1. 1
   Prepare the soil

   Ensure soil pH is between 5.5 and 7. Preferred texture: Loam. Apply agricultural lime if your pH is below 5.5, ideally 30 days before planting.
2. 2
   Plant at the right time

   Select certified sugarcane seed varieties suited to your altitude zone and plant at the onset of the rains.
3. 3
   Apply basal fertilizer

   Sugarcane needs high nitrogen, medium phosphorus, and high potassium. Apply a balanced basal fertilizer such as DAP or NPK at planting.
4. 4
   Top-dress

   At 3-4 months after planting, apply 1 bag(s) per acre of CAN. Apply at grand growth stage when cane is actively elongating. One application is sufficient per ratoon.
5. 5
   Monitor and harvest

   Scout regularly for pests and disease. Expected yield is about 27,000 kg/acre at roughly KES 5/kg.

Best counties for Sugarcane

Challenging counties for Sugarcane

These counties may need soil amendments for Sugarcane

Certified seed varieties