Growing Onion in Nyamira
Soil suitability analysis based on Nyamira's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Nyamira is only marginally suited to Onion. Nyamira's soil (pH 5.58, slightly acidic) gives Onion a suitability score of 47/100. Match fertilizer to Nyamira's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Onion can be grown in Nyamira County, but the soil scores 47/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.58 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Onion's preferred 6–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.84 g/kg, P 11.6 mg/kg, K 148 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Onion prefers sandy loam soils, while Nyamira is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Onion is the #74 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyamira County. Onion's full potential is about 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 420,000/acre at KES 70/kg), but at Nyamira's 47/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 3,525 kg/acre (~KES 246,750/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Nyamira's soil: Sweet Potato, Soybeans, and Pineapple — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nyamira soil | Onion needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.58 | 6–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.84 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 11.6 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 148 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,600 mm | 500–1,000 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Nyamira
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· August–October
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Nyamira's nitrogen (0.84 g/kg) is 70% of the 1.2 g/kg Onion needs, so the standard 0.5 bags/acre is raised to 0.75. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Nyamira
Varieties suited to Nyamira's 1,700 m altitude and 1,600 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 onion varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag