Growing Finger Millet in Murang'a

Soil suitability analysis based on Murang'a's nutrient profile

Murang'a County is well suited to Finger Millet, scoring 80/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.03 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7 band Finger Millet prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.2 g/kg), phosphorus (12.2 mg/kg) and potassium (168 mg/kg) all meet Finger Millet's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Finger Millet prefers sandy soils, while Murang'a is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 60/kg) and a typical 800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Finger Millet crop here can gross roughly KES 48,000 per acre.

80Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMurang'a soilFinger Millet needsStatus
pH5.0357OK
Nitrogen1.2 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.2 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium168 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm400–1,400 mmOK
Altitude1,500 m0–2,000 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3–4 after germination
Instruction
One light application at vegetative stage. Do not over-apply.
Bags per Acre
0.3

Recommended seed varieties

P224Dryland/Medium
KALRO · 75-90 days · 6-8 bags/acre
Early maturing; blast disease tolerant.
U15Medium
KALRO · 90-100 days · 8-10 bags/acre
High yielding; good grain quality for flour.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield 800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 48,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
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