Growing Sorghum in Kwale
Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile
Yes — Kwale is well suited to Sorghum. Kwale's soil (pH 6.76, near-neutral) gives Sorghum a suitability score of 79/100. Match fertilizer to Kwale's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kwale County is well suited to Sorghum, scoring 79/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 5–8 band Sorghum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.93 g/kg), phosphorus (9.8 mg/kg) and potassium (131 mg/kg) all meet Sorghum's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Sorghum prefers clay soils, while Kwale is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sorghum is the #35 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kwale County. At current prices (about KES 68/kg) and a typical 1,200 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sorghum crop here can gross roughly KES 81,600 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kwale soil | Sorghum needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.76 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.93 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 9.8 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 131 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kwale
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
Kwale's nitrogen (0.93 g/kg) already meets Sorghum's 0.5 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Kwale
2 sorghum varieties are rated for Kwale's altitude (200 m) and rainfall (900 mm):
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag