Growing Sugarcane in Nyeri

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyeri's nutrient profile

Sugarcane can be grown in Nyeri County, but the soil scores 59/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.23 the soil is moderately acidic, below Sugarcane's preferred 5.5–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 1.09 g/kg, P 15.5 mg/kg, K 192 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Sugarcane prefers loam soils, while Nyeri is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Sugarcane's full potential is about 27,000 kg/acre (~KES 135,000/acre at KES 5/kg), but at Nyeri's 59/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 19,913 kg/acre (~KES 99,565/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.