Growing Sorghum in Kilifi
Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile
Yes — Kilifi is well suited to Sorghum. Kilifi's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Sorghum a suitability score of 91/100. Match fertilizer to Kilifi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kilifi County is well suited to Sorghum, scoring 91/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Sorghum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.8 g/kg), phosphorus (11 mg/kg) and potassium (109 mg/kg) all meet Sorghum's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Sorghum prefers clay soils, while Kilifi is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sorghum is the #2 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kilifi County. At current prices (about KES 68/kg) and a typical 1,200 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sorghum crop here can gross roughly KES 81,600 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kilifi soil | Sorghum needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.24 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.8 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 11 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 109 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 700 mm | 250–700 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 150 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag