Growing Maize in Laikipia
Soil suitability analysis based on Laikipia's nutrient profile
Laikipia County is a solid choice for Maize, with a soil-match score of 70/100. At an average pH of 4.99 the soil is strongly acidic, below Maize's preferred 5.5–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is phosphorus — measured at N 1.42 g/kg, P 16.6 mg/kg, K 215 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 Maize, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 38/kg) and a typical 1,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Maize crop here can gross roughly KES 38,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Laikipia soil | Maize needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 4.99 | 5.5–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.42 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 16.6 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 215 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer (DAP/NPK)
Month 2
Top Dressing (CAN/Urea) & 1st Weeding
Month 3
Crop Protection & Scouting
Short Rains
Month 1
Fast Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & Weeding
Month 3
Fast Growth Scouting
Dry Season
Month 1
Land Preparation & Manure
Month 2
Soil Testing & Resting
Month 3
Seed Selection & Storage
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4–6 after germination
Instruction
When plant is knee-high broadcast between rows
Bags per Acre
1
Recommended seed varieties
H614Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 180-240 days · 35-40 bags/acre
Excellent grain quality; tolerant to common blights.
H6218Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 170-210 days · 38-42 bags/acre
High yielding; strong stalk preventing lodging.
H513Medium Altitude
Kenya Seed Company · 120-150 days · 25-30 bags/acre
Fast maturing; good performance in transitional climates.
Katumani Composite BDryland
KALRO · 90-120 days · 15-18 bags/acre
Highly drought-tolerant; ensures harvest in low rainfall.
DH04Dryland
KALRO · 90-110 days · 18-22 bags/acre
Extremely fast maturing; escapes late-season heat stress.
H625Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 150-180 days · 32-40 bags/acre
Frost tolerant; resistant to grey leaf spot and northern blight; suited to cold highlands 1800-2500m.
H6213Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 150-200 days · 40-54 bags/acre
High yielding; excellent ear rot and GLS resistance; large cobs; good standability 1500-2100m.
H626Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 150-190 days · 40-50 bags/acre
Semi-dent; stays green at harvest for dual grain and fodder use; resistant to GLS.
H628Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 150-195 days · 31-50 bags/acre
Late maturity; suited to cold and wet highland conditions 1600-2300m; good disease tolerance.
H629Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 150-190 days · 36-45 bags/acre
Good standability; stays green; high potential highland zone 1500-2100m.
H623Medium/Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 120-150 days · 31-40 bags/acre
Resistant to blight rust and grey leaf spot; good husk cover; medium altitude 1400-1700m.
H516Lowland
Kenya Seed Company · 80-110 days · 13-22 bags/acre
Drought tolerant; MSV tolerant; suited for coastal and semi-arid lowlands below 1200m.
DH01Dryland
Kenya Seed Company · 90-120 days · 27-40 bags/acre
Drought tolerant; MSV tolerant; semi-arid adapted 0-1500m; good for low-input farmers.
DH02Dryland/Medium
Kenya Seed Company · 90-120 days · 27-40 bags/acre
MSV and GLS tolerant; drought tolerant; widely adapted to low-medium altitude 0-1500m.
DH03Dryland
Kenya Seed Company · 90-120 days · 13-22 bags/acre
Drought tolerant; tolerant to leaf diseases; suitable for dryland short second season.
WH403Medium
Western Seed Company · 120-150 days · 28-35 bags/acre
Prolific; excellent GLS and rust tolerance; good for silage; medium altitude 1200-1600m.
WH507Medium/Highland
Western Seed Company · 130-160 days · 27-40 bags/acre
Tolerant to leaf diseases; good standability; widely adapted medium to high altitude 1000-1700m.
Ukamez-2Dryland/Medium
KALRO · 90-110 days · 21-41 bags/acre
KEPHIS certified; drought tolerant; GLS and MSV resistant; dry mid altitude Eastern Kenya 800-1600m.
Ukamez-1Dryland
KALRO · 85-100 days · 18-22 bags/acre
KEPHIS certified; early maturing; drought tolerant; suited to ASALs in Eastern Kenya.
Embu-537Medium/Highland
KALRO · 120-140 days · 28-32 bags/acre
Medium altitude composite; consistent yield under Central Kenya conditions.
KH500-48ADryland/Medium
KALRO · 90-110 days · 20-25 bags/acre
KALRO open-pollinated hybrid; heat tolerant; widely adapted in eastern regions.
FAWTH2001Medium/Highland
CIMMYT/KALRO · 130-150 days · 32-38 bags/acre
MLN-tolerant; developed in response to Maize Lethal Necrosis; KEPHIS listed.
FAWTH2002Medium/Highland
CIMMYT/KALRO · 125-145 days · 30-36 bags/acre
MLN-tolerant; CIMMYT East Africa release; grey leaf spot resistant.
FAWTH2003Medium/Highland
CIMMYT/KALRO · 120-140 days · 28-34 bags/acre
MLN-tolerant; combined resistance package; suited to highland Kenya.
Economics
Market priceKES 38/kg
Expected yield1,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 38,000/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