Growing Sugarcane in Siaya
Soil suitability analysis based on Siaya's nutrient profile
Siaya County is well suited to Sugarcane, scoring 75/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.33 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 potassium — measured at N 1.2 g/kg, P 12.1 mg/kg, K 134 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Sugarcane, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 5/kg) and a typical 27,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sugarcane crop here can gross roughly KES 135,000 per acre.
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Siaya soil | Sugarcane needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.33 | 5.5–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.2 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 134 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag