Growing Onion in Baringo

Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Baringo is well suited to Onion. Baringo's soil (pH 6.22, slightly acidic) gives Onion a suitability score of 91/100. Match fertilizer to Baringo's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Baringo County is well suited to Onion, scoring 91/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.22 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7 band Onion prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet Onion's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Onion prefers sandy loam soils, while Baringo is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 70/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Onion crop here can gross roughly KES 420,000 per acre.

91Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBaringo soilOnion needsStatus
pH6.2267OK
Nitrogen1.32 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.4 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium212 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall700 mm500–1,000 mmOK
Altitude900 m0–2,000 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Nursery Preparation & Transplanting
Month 2
Top Dressing (CAN) & Weed Control
Month 3
Bulbing Stage & NPK 17:17:17 Application

Short Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & Bulb Formation
Month 3
Harvesting & Curing

Dry Season

Month 1
Harvesting & Curing & Storage
Month 2
Land Preparation
Month 3
Nursery for next season

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN then NPK 17:17:17
Timing
Week 3–4 and at bulbing
Instruction
Apply at week 3–4 before bulbing then switch to NPK 17:17:17 at bulbing stage for bulb size and quality.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Red CreoleMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 90-120 days · 6–8 tons/acre
Popular red onion; good storage quality.
Bombay RedMedium
East Africa Seeds · 100-130 days · 5–7 tons/acre
Large bulb size; pungent flavor; high market value.

Economics

Market priceKES 70/kg
Expected yield 6,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 420,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

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