Growing Sugarcane in Tana River

Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile

Tana River County is a challenging environment for Sugarcane (soil-match score 11/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Sugarcane 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/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Sugarcane prefers loam soils, while Tana River is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Tana River receives approximately 400 mm/year — well below Sugarcane's minimum of 1100 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. 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.