Growing Onion in Elgeyo Marakwet
Soil suitability analysis based on Elgeyo Marakwet's nutrient profile
Yes — Elgeyo Marakwet is well suited to Onion. Elgeyo Marakwet's soil (pH 6.27, slightly acidic) gives Onion a suitability score of 91/100. Match fertilizer to Elgeyo Marakwet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Elgeyo Marakwet County is well suited to Onion, scoring 91/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.27 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7 band Onion prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.39 g/kg), phosphorus (22.2 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Onion's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Onion prefers sandy loam soils, while Elgeyo Marakwet is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Onion is the #39 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Elgeyo Marakwet County. 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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Elgeyo Marakwet soil | Onion needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.27 | 6–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.39 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 22.2 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 213 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,000 mm | 500–1,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,800 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Elgeyo Marakwet
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
Elgeyo Marakwet's nitrogen (1.39 g/kg) already meets Onion's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Elgeyo Marakwet
2 onion varieties are rated for Elgeyo Marakwet's altitude (1,800 m) and rainfall (1,000 mm):
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag