Growing Barley in Nakuru
Soil suitability analysis based on Nakuru's nutrient profile
Nakuru County is a solid choice for Barley, with a soil-match score of 69/100. Local soils average pH 6.28 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Barley prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.59 g/kg), phosphorus (25.2 mg/kg) and potassium (239 mg/kg) all meet Barley's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Barley, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 42/kg) and a typical 1,100 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Barley crop here can gross roughly KES 46,200 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Nakuru soil | Barley needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.28 | 6–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.59 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.2 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 239 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Drilling Sowing & Basal Fertilizer (DAP)
Month 2
Top Dressing (CAN) at tillering
Month 3
Heading & Pest Monitoring
Short Rains
Month 1
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing at tillering & Weed Control
Month 3
Harvesting & Drying
Dry Season
Month 1
Post-Harvest Threshing & Storage
Month 2
Land Resting & Ploughing
Month 3
Seed Selection & Soil pH Check
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4-6 at tillering
Instruction
Apply CAN at early tillering, but keep nitrogen moderate — excess N raises grain protein and lowers malting quality
Bags per Acre
1
Recommended seed varieties
NguzoHighland
KALRO/EABL · 120-150 days · 18-24 bags/acre
Malting barley; high grain plumpness; low protein for brewing; EABL contract crop.
GraceHighland
KALRO · 120-145 days · 16-22 bags/acre
Malting variety; stem rust tolerant; suited to high altitude above 2000m.
KarneHighland
KALRO · 125-150 days · 17-23 bags/acre
Dual feed and malting; good lodging resistance; grown in Mau Narok and Timau.
SabiniHighland
KALRO · 120-150 days · 18-24 bags/acre
Malting barley; uniform germination; scald and net blotch tolerant.
Economics
Market priceKES 42/kg
Expected yield1,100 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 46,200/acre
Preferred textureLoam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag