Growing Sorghum in Tana River
Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile
Yes — Tana River is well suited to Sorghum. Tana River's soil (pH 6.4, slightly acidic) gives Sorghum a suitability score of 92/100. Match fertilizer to Tana River's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Tana River County is well suited to Sorghum, scoring 92/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Sorghum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.04 g/kg), phosphorus (8.5 mg/kg) and potassium (108 mg/kg) all meet Sorghum's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Sorghum prefers clay soils, while Tana River is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sorghum is the single best-matched crop of the 106 we assess for Tana River County. At current prices (about KES 68/kg) and a typical 1,200 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sorghum crop here can gross roughly KES 81,600 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Tana River soil | Sorghum needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.4 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.04 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 8.5 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 108 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 400 mm | 250–700 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag