Growing Maize in Narok

Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Narok is well suited to Maize. Narok's soil (pH 6.13, slightly acidic) gives Maize a suitability score of 93/100. Match fertilizer to Narok's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Narok County is well suited to Maize, scoring 93/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.13 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Maize prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 mg/kg) all meet Maize's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Maize, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Maize is the #6 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Narok County. At current prices (about KES 45/kg) and a typical 1,800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Maize crop here can gross roughly KES 81,000 per acre.

93Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNarok soilMaize needsStatus
pH6.135.5–7OK
Nitrogen1.63 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.7 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium234 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall800 mm500–1,600 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m0–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar for Narok

Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here

April
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer (DAP/NPK)
May
Top Dressing (CAN/Urea) & 1st Weeding
June
Crop Protection & Scouting

Short Rains· October–December

October
Fast Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
November
Top Dressing & Weeding
December
Fast Growth Scouting

Dry Season· February–April

February
Land Preparation & Manure
March
Soil Testing & Resting
April
Seed Selection & Storage

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4–6 after germination
Instruction
When plant is knee-high broadcast between rows
Bags per acre in Narok
1

Narok's nitrogen (1.63 g/kg) already meets Maize's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Seed varieties for Narok

23 maize varieties are rated for Narok's altitude (1,700 m) and rainfall (800 mm):

H614· HighlandH6218· HighlandH513· Medium AltitudeKatumani Composite B· DrylandDH04· DrylandH625· HighlandH6213· HighlandH626· HighlandH628· HighlandH629· HighlandH623· Medium/HighlandDH01· DrylandDH02· Dryland/MediumDH03· DrylandWH403· MediumWH507· Medium/HighlandUkamez-2· Dryland/MediumUkamez-1· DrylandEmbu-537· Medium/HighlandKH500-48A· Dryland/MediumFAWTH2001· Medium/HighlandFAWTH2002· Medium/HighlandFAWTH2003· Medium/Highland
Full variety details — maturity, yield & breeder →

Economics

Market priceKES 45/kg
Expected yield 1,800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 81,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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