Growing Sugarcane in Kisumu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile

Kisumu County is well suited to Sugarcane, scoring 79/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.54 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Sugarcane prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 0.91 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Sugarcane prefers loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 5/kg) and a typical 27,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sugarcane crop here can gross roughly KES 135,000 per acre.

79Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientKisumu soilSugarcane needsStatus
pH5.545.57OK
Nitrogen0.91 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus12.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium166 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 6-8 and Month 4
Instruction
Heavy nitrogen feeder. Apply in two split portions during early tillering.
Bags per Acre
1.5

Recommended seed varieties

CO 421Dryland/Medium
KESREF · 365-540 days · 400-600 tons/acre
Medium staple; high sucrose content; adapted to western Kenya.
N14Medium
KESREF · 365-540 days · 450-650 tons/acre
High yielding; good ratoon ability; widely grown in Nyanza and Western.

Economics

Market priceKES 5/kg
Expected yield27,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 135,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

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

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag