Growing Sunflower in Nairobi
Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile
Yes — Nairobi is well suited to Sunflower. Nairobi's soil (pH 6.85, near-neutral) gives Sunflower a suitability score of 88/100. Match fertilizer to Nairobi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Nairobi County is well suited to Sunflower, scoring 88/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.85 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Sunflower prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.1 g/kg), phosphorus (22.1 mg/kg) and potassium (236 mg/kg) all meet Sunflower's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Sunflower prefers sandy soils, while Nairobi is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sunflower is the #37 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nairobi County. At current prices (about KES 48/kg) and a typical 750 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sunflower crop here can gross roughly KES 36,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nairobi soil | Sunflower needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.85 | 6–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.1 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 22.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 236 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 400–800 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag