Growing Napier Grass in Nandi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nandi's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Nandi is well suited to Napier Grass. Nandi's soil (pH 6.17, slightly acidic) gives Napier Grass a suitability score of 92/100. Match fertilizer to Nandi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Nandi County is well suited to Napier Grass, scoring 92/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.17 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Napier Grass prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.37 g/kg), phosphorus (26.4 mg/kg) and potassium (207 mg/kg) all meet Napier Grass's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Napier Grass, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 5/kg) and a typical 30,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Napier Grass crop here can gross roughly KES 150,000 per acre.

92Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNandi soilNapier Grass needsStatus
pH6.1758OK
Nitrogen1.37 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus26.4 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium207 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,400 mm800–2,000 mmOK
Altitude1,900 m0–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
After each cut
Instruction
Apply after every harvest cut to support rapid regrowth. Critical for maintaining high biomass yield.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Clone 13Medium/Highland
ICIPE/KALRO · 90-120 days · 10–15 tons/acre
Push-pull trap crop; high biomass; excellent fodder quality.
Kakamega 1Medium
KALRO · perennial days · 9–12.5 tons/acre
High dry matter yield; tolerant to head smut disease.

Economics

Market priceKES 5/kg
Expected yield 30,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 150,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

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