Growing Onion in Nandi
Soil suitability analysis based on Nandi's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Nandi is moderately suited to Onion. Nandi's soil (pH 6.17, slightly acidic) gives Onion a suitability score of 73/100. Match fertilizer to Nandi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Nandi County is a solid choice for Onion, with a soil-match score of 73/100. Local soils average pH 6.17 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7 band Onion prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.37 g/kg), phosphorus (26.4 mg/kg) and potassium (207 mg/kg) all meet Onion's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Onion prefers sandy loam soils, while Nandi is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Onion is the #64 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nandi County. At current prices (about KES 70/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Onion crop here can gross roughly KES 420,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nandi soil | Onion needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.17 | 6–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.37 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 26.4 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 207 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,400 mm | 500–1,000 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Nandi
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· August–October
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Nandi's nitrogen (1.37 g/kg) already meets Onion's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Nandi
Varieties suited to Nandi's 1,900 m altitude and 1,400 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 onion varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag