Growing Barley in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Makueni County is a challenging environment for Barley (soil-match score 20/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.5 — alkaline and inside the 6–7.5 band Barley prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.86 g/kg), phosphorus (29.6 mg/kg) and potassium (351 mg/kg) all meet Barley's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Barley, which favours loam. At 1000 m, the county sits below Barley's preferred altitude range (2000–3000 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 42/kg) and a typical 1,100 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Barley crop here can gross roughly KES 46,200 per acre.