Growing Sweet Corn in Kitui
Soil suitability analysis based on Kitui's nutrient profile
Kitui County is well suited to Sweet Corn, scoring 78/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 7.03 the soil sits above Sweet Corn's preferred 5.8–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 30.5 mg/kg, K 339 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Sweet Corn, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 40/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sweet Corn crop here can gross roughly KES 320,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kitui soil | Sweet Corn needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.03 | 5.8–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.74 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 30.5 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 339 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 500 mm | 500–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 900 m | 0–2,200 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Land Prep & Planting & Basal
Month 2
Top Dressing & Weeding
Month 3
Cob Fill & Harvest
Short Rains
Month 1
Land Prep & Planting & Basal
Month 2
Top Dressing & Weeding
Month 3
Cob Fill & Harvest
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4 to 6 at knee-high
Instruction
Top-dress at knee-high for cob fill. Harvest at milk stage for sweetness.
Bags per Acre
0.5
Economics
Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield in Kitui7,800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 312,000/acre
Adjusted for Kitui's 78/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Sweet Corn can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 320,000/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