Growing Onion in Tana River

Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile

Onion can be grown in Tana River County, but the soil scores 49/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7 band Onion prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 1.04 g/kg, P 8.5 mg/kg, K 108 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Onion, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 45/kg) and a typical 3,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Onion crop here can gross roughly KES 157,500 per acre.