Growing Oats in Migori

Soil suitability analysis based on Migori's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Migori is poorly suited to Oats. Migori's soil (pH 5.43, strongly acidic) gives Oats a suitability score of 34/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Migori County is a challenging environment for Oats (soil-match score 34/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 5.43 the soil is moderately acidic, below Oats's preferred 5.5–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.2 g/kg), phosphorus (12.2 mg/kg) and potassium (169 mg/kg) all meet Oats's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Oats, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Oats is the #98 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Migori County. Oats's full potential is about 1,600 kg/acre (~KES 64,000/acre at KES 40/kg), but at Migori's 34/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 680 kg/acre (~KES 27,200/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Migori's soil: Cassava, Macadamia, and Pineapple — each scores higher on the same soil.

34Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMigori soilOats needsStatus
pH5.435.57Adjust
Nitrogen1.2 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.2 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium169 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,400 mm500–1,000 mmHigh
Altitude1,300 m1,800–3,000 mLow

Planting calendar for Migori

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

March
Land Prep & Sowing & Basal
April
Tillering & Top Dressing
May
Heading & Harvest

Short Rains· SeptemberNovember

September
Land Prep & Sowing & Basal
October
Tillering & Top Dressing
November
Heading & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4 to 5 at tillering
Instruction
Top-dress at tillering for grain and biomass. Split if grown for grain and fodder.
Bags per acre in Migori
0.5

Migori's nitrogen (1.2 g/kg) already meets Oats's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield in Migori680 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 27,200/acre
Adjusted for Migori's 34/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Oats can reach 1,600 kg/acre (~KES 64,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

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