Growing Sorghum in Nyandarua

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyandarua's nutrient profile

Nyandarua County is a challenging environment for Sorghum (soil-match score 33/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.38 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–8 band Sorghum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.28 g/kg), phosphorus (14 mg/kg) and potassium (166 mg/kg) all meet Sorghum's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay soils suit Sorghum, which favours clay. At 2300 m, the county sits above Sorghum's preferred altitude ceiling of 1800 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. At current prices (about KES 68/kg) and a typical 1,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sorghum crop here can gross roughly KES 68,000 per acre.