Growing Maize in Kisumu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile
Yes — Kisumu is well suited to Maize. Kisumu's soil (pH 5.54, slightly acidic) gives Maize a suitability score of 75/100. Match fertilizer to Kisumu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kisumu County is well suited to Maize, scoring 75/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.54 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Maize prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and phosphorus — measured at N 0.91 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Maize prefers loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Maize is the #32 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kisumu County. At current prices (about KES 45/kg) and a typical 1,800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Maize crop here can gross roughly KES 81,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisumu soil | Maize needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.54 | 5.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.91 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 12.5 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 166 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 500–1,600 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,150 m | 0–2,500 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kisumu
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· September–November
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Kisumu's nitrogen (0.91 g/kg) is 76% of the 1.2 g/kg Maize needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Kisumu
Varieties suited to Kisumu's 1,150 m altitude and 1,200 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 24 maize varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag