Growing Millet in Isiolo

Soil suitability analysis based on Isiolo's nutrient profile

Isiolo County is a solid choice for Millet, with a soil-match score of 67/100. Local soils average pH 7.83 — alkaline and inside the 5–8 band Millet prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.46 g/kg, P 37.4 mg/kg, K 395 mg/kg against this crop's low/low/low demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Millet, which favours sandy. At current prices (about KES 58/kg) and a typical 600 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Millet crop here can gross roughly KES 34,800 per acre.

67Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientIsiolo soilMillet needsStatus
pH7.8358OK
Nitrogen0.46 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgLow
Phosphorus37.4 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium395 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK

Recommended seed varieties

Katumani MilletDryland
KALRO · 75-90 days · 6-8 bags/acre
Early maturing; highly drought tolerant; good grain quality.
EMBU CompositeMedium
KALRO · 85-100 days · 8-10 bags/acre
Higher yielding; suited to medium altitude rainfall areas.

Economics

Market priceKES 58/kg
Expected yield600 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 34,800/acre

Preferred textureSandy

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag