Growing Onion in Kisumu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile

Kisumu County is a solid choice for Onion, with a soil-match score of 62/100. At an average pH of 5.54 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Onion's preferred 6–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. 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. Onion prefers sandy loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Onion's full potential is about 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 420,000/acre at KES 70/kg), but at Kisumu's 62/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 4,650 kg/acre (~KES 325,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.