Growing Sugarcane in Nairobi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile

Sugarcane can be grown in Nairobi County, but the soil scores 50/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.85 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Sugarcane prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 1.1 g/kg, P 22.1 mg/kg, K 236 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Sugarcane, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 5/kg) and a typical 27,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sugarcane crop here can gross roughly KES 135,000 per acre.