Growing Napier Grass in Kisii

Soil suitability analysis based on Kisii's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Kisii is moderately suited to Napier Grass. Kisii's soil (pH 5.21, strongly acidic) gives Napier Grass a suitability score of 72/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Kisii County is a solid choice for Napier Grass, with a soil-match score of 72/100. Local soils average pH 5.21 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–8 band Napier Grass prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.09 g/kg), phosphorus (13.1 mg/kg) and potassium (151 mg/kg) all meet Napier Grass's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Napier Grass, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 5/kg) and a typical 30,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Napier Grass crop here can gross roughly KES 150,000 per acre.

72Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKisii soilNapier Grass needsStatus
pH5.2158OK
Nitrogen1.09 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus13.1 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium151 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,500 mm800–2,000 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m0–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
After each cut
Instruction
Apply after every harvest cut to support rapid regrowth. Critical for maintaining high biomass yield.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Clone 13Medium/Highland
ICIPE/KALRO · 90-120 days · 10–15 tons/acre
Push-pull trap crop; high biomass; excellent fodder quality.
Kakamega 1Medium
KALRO · perennial days · 9–12.5 tons/acre
High dry matter yield; tolerant to head smut disease.

Economics

Market priceKES 5/kg
Expected yield in Kisii27,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 135,000/acre
Adjusted for Kisii's 72/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Napier Grass can reach 30,000 kg/acre (~KES 150,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag