Growing Onion in Lamu
Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Lamu is moderately suited to Onion. Lamu's soil (pH 6.31, slightly acidic) gives Onion a suitability score of 74/100. Match fertilizer to Lamu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Lamu County is a solid choice for Onion, with a soil-match score of 74/100. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7 band Onion prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Onion, which favours sandy loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Onion is the #41 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Lamu County. At current prices (about KES 70/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Onion crop here can gross roughly KES 420,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Lamu soil | Onion needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.31 | 6–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.74 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 9.6 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 117 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 600 mm | 500–1,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 10 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Lamu
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
Lamu's nitrogen (0.74 g/kg) is 62% of the 1.2 g/kg Onion needs, so the standard 0.5 bags/acre is raised to 0.75. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Lamu's 10 m altitude and 600 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag