Growing Sugarcane in Kakamega
Soil suitability analysis based on Kakamega's nutrient profile
Yes — Kakamega is well suited to Sugarcane. Kakamega's soil (pH 5.63, slightly acidic) gives Sugarcane a suitability score of 82/100. Match fertilizer to Kakamega's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kakamega County is well suited to Sugarcane, scoring 82/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.63 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Sugarcane prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 147 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Sugarcane, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 5/kg) and a typical 27,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sugarcane crop here can gross roughly KES 135,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kakamega soil | Sugarcane needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.63 | 5.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.01 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 14 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 147 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,900 mm | 1,100–2,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 0–1,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag