Growing Sorghum in Siaya

Soil suitability analysis based on Siaya's nutrient profile

Sorghum can be grown in Siaya County, but the soil scores 48/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.33 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–8 band Sorghum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.2 g/kg), phosphorus (12.1 mg/kg) and potassium (134 mg/kg) all meet Sorghum's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Sorghum, which favours clay. Sorghum's full potential is about 1,200 kg/acre (~KES 81,600/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Siaya's 48/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 720 kg/acre (~KES 48,960/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.