Growing Barley in Kwale

Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile

Kwale County is a challenging environment for Barley (soil-match score 1/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Barley prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.93 g/kg, P 9.8 mg/kg, K 131 mg/kg against this crop's medium/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Barley, which favours loam. At 200 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 #99 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kwale County. Barley's full potential is about 1,600 kg/acre (~KES 67,200/acre at KES 42/kg), but at Kwale's 1/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 20 kg/acre (~KES 840/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Kwale's soil: Dhania, Pigeon Peas, and Mango — each scores higher on the same soil.