Growing Onion in Nyamira

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyamira's nutrient profile

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. 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.