Sunflower farming guide — Kenya

Soil requirements

Optimizing soil and fertilizers for Sunflower in Kenya

To achieve maximum yields when farming sunflower in Kenya, managing soil suitability is crucial. This crop performs best within a soil pH range of 6 to 7.5. 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. Sunflower has a medium nitrogen requirement, medium phosphorus requirement, and medium 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 Week 4–5 after emergence), ensures high crop quality and protects your overall farm investment.

Best counties for Sunflower

Challenging counties for Sunflower

These counties may need soil amendments for Sunflower

Certified seed varieties

Planting calendar