Growing Onion in Makueni
Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Makueni is moderately suited to Onion. Makueni's soil (pH 7.5, alkaline) gives Onion a suitability score of 71/100. Match fertilizer to Makueni's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Makueni County is a solid choice for Onion, with a soil-match score of 71/100. At an average pH of 7.5 the soil sits above Onion's preferred 6–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.86 g/kg, P 29.6 mg/kg, K 351 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 Onion, which favours sandy loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Onion is the #38 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Makueni County. Onion's full potential is about 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 420,000/acre at KES 70/kg), but at Makueni's 71/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 5,325 kg/acre (~KES 372,750/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Makueni soil | Onion needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.5 | 6–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.86 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 29.6 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 351 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 600 mm | 500–1,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,000 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Makueni
Long Rains· March–May
Short Rains· October–DecemberMain season here
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Makueni's nitrogen (0.86 g/kg) is 72% 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 Makueni's 1,000 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