Growing Sunflower in Siaya

Soil suitability analysis based on Siaya's nutrient profile

Sunflower can be grown in Siaya County, but the soil scores 50/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.33 the soil is moderately acidic, below Sunflower's preferred 6–7.5 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 medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Sunflower prefers sandy soils, while Siaya is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sunflower is the #82 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Siaya County. Sunflower's full potential is about 750 kg/acre (~KES 36,000/acre at KES 48/kg), but at Siaya's 50/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 469 kg/acre (~KES 22,512/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Siaya's soil: Macadamia, Pineapple, and Avocado — each scores higher on the same soil.