Growing Sugarcane in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Sugarcane can be grown in Kericho County, but the soil scores 51/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.94 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Sugarcane prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Sugarcane's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Sugarcane prefers loam soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 2000 m, the county sits above Sugarcane's preferred altitude ceiling of 1500 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Sugarcane's full potential is about 27,000 kg/acre (~KES 135,000/acre at KES 5/kg), but at Kericho's 51/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 17,213 kg/acre (~KES 86,065/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.