Growing Sisal in Marsabit

Soil suitability analysis based on Marsabit's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Marsabit is moderately suited to Sisal. Marsabit's soil (pH 8.22, alkaline) gives Sisal a suitability score of 69/100. Match fertilizer to Marsabit's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Marsabit County is a solid choice for Sisal, with a soil-match score of 69/100. Local soils average pH 8.22 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Sisal prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.52 g/kg), phosphorus (37.3 mg/kg) and potassium (420 mg/kg) all meet Sisal's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Sisal, which favours sandy. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sisal is the single best-matched crop of the 106 we assess for Marsabit County. Sisal's full potential is about 1,000 kg/acre (~KES 90,000/acre at KES 90/kg), but at Marsabit's 69/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 863 kg/acre (~KES 77,670/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

69Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMarsabit soilSisal needsStatus
pH8.225.58.5OK
Nitrogen0.52 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus37.3 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium420 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall300 mm250–700 mmOK
Altitude1,100 m0–1,800 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Sisal is extremely low-input. No fertilizer top dressing needed.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

Hybrid 11648Dryland/Coastal
KALRO · 730-1000 days · 400–600 kg/acre
High fibre yield; resistant to zebra disease.

Economics

Market priceKES 90/kg
Expected yield in Marsabit863 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 77,670/acre
Adjusted for Marsabit's 69/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Sisal can reach 1,000 kg/acre (~KES 90,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag