Growing Sesame (Simsim) in Baringo

Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Baringo is well suited to Sesame (Simsim). Baringo's soil (pH 6.22, slightly acidic) gives Sesame (Simsim) a suitability score of 94/100. Match fertilizer to Baringo's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Baringo County is well suited to Sesame (Simsim), scoring 94/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.22 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Sesame (Simsim) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet Sesame (Simsim)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Sesame (Simsim) prefers sandy soils, while Baringo is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sesame (Simsim) is the single best-matched crop of the 106 we assess for Baringo County. At current prices (about KES 350/kg) and a typical 250 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sesame (Simsim) crop here can gross roughly KES 87,500 per acre.

94Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBaringo soilSesame (Simsim) needsStatus
pH6.225.57OK
Nitrogen1.32 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.4 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium212 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall700 mm300–800 mmOK
Altitude900 m0–1,600 mOK

Recommended seed varieties

KSS-6 (KS-S6)Lowland 200-1000m
Kenya Seed Company · 75 days · 7-9 bags/acre
Highly aromatic white seeds; high podding ability; rust & shootfly tolerant.

Economics

Market priceKES 350/kg
Expected yield 250 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 87,500/acre

Preferred textureSandy

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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