Growing Sweet Corn in Samburu

Soil suitability analysis based on Samburu's nutrient profile

Samburu County is a challenging environment for Sweet Corn (soil-match score 24/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.28 the soil sits above Sweet Corn's preferred 5.8–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.67 g/kg, P 42.1 mg/kg, K 387 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Sweet Corn prefers loam soils, while Samburu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Samburu receives approximately 350 mm/year — well below Sweet Corn's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Sweet Corn's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 320,000/acre at KES 40/kg), but at Samburu's 24/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 2,400 kg/acre (~KES 96,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.