Growing Sugarcane in Nandi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nandi's nutrient profile

Nandi County is a solid choice for Sugarcane, with a soil-match score of 68/100. Local soils average pH 6.17 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Sugarcane prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.37 g/kg), phosphorus (26.4 mg/kg) and potassium (207 mg/kg) all meet Sugarcane's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Sugarcane, which favours loam. At 1900 m, the county sits above Sugarcane's preferred altitude ceiling of 1500 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. 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.