Growing Onion in Bungoma

Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile

Onion can be grown in Bungoma County, but the soil scores 59/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.56 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Onion's preferred 6–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen and phosphorus — measured at N 1.12 g/kg, P 15.7 mg/kg, K 161 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Onion prefers sandy loam soils, while Bungoma is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Onion's full potential is about 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 420,000/acre at KES 70/kg), but at Bungoma's 59/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 4,425 kg/acre (~KES 309,750/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.