Growing Sisal in Nairobi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Nairobi is well suited to Sisal. Nairobi's soil (pH 6.85, near-neutral) gives Sisal a suitability score of 80/100. Match fertilizer to Nairobi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Nairobi County is well suited to Sisal, scoring 80/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.85 — neutral and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Sisal prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.1 g/kg), phosphorus (22.1 mg/kg) and potassium (236 mg/kg) all meet Sisal's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Sisal prefers sandy soils, while Nairobi is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sisal is the #67 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nairobi County. At current prices (about KES 90/kg) and a typical 1,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sisal crop here can gross roughly KES 90,000 per acre.

80Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNairobi soilSisal needsStatus
pH6.855.58.5OK
Nitrogen1.1 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus22.1 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium236 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall900 mm250–700 mmHigh
Altitude1,700 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 1,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 90,000/acre

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