Growing Barley in Kisumu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile

Kisumu County is a challenging environment for Barley (soil-match score 20/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 5.54 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Barley's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is phosphorus — measured at N 0.91 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's medium/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Barley prefers loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 1150 m, the county sits below Barley's preferred altitude range (2000–3000 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Barley is the #104 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kisumu County. Barley's full potential is about 1,600 kg/acre (~KES 67,200/acre at KES 42/kg), but at Kisumu's 20/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 400 kg/acre (~KES 16,800/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Kisumu's soil: Cassava, Macadamia, and Pineapple — each scores higher on the same soil.