Growing Sunflower in Tana River

Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile

Tana River County is well suited to Sunflower, scoring 83/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Sunflower prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 1.04 g/kg, P 8.5 mg/kg, K 108 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Sunflower, which favours sandy. At current prices (about KES 48/kg) and a typical 750 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sunflower crop here can gross roughly KES 36,000 per acre.

83Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientTana River soilSunflower needsStatus
pH6.467.5OK
Nitrogen1.04 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus8.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium108 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & Weed Control
Month 3
Head Development & Bird Protection

Short Rains

Month 1
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & 1st Weeding
Month 3
Harvesting & Drying

Dry Season

Month 1
Harvesting & Threshing
Month 2
Land Resting
Month 3
Seed Selection & Storage

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4–5 after emergence
Instruction
Apply at vegetative stage before flower bud initiation.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Kenya FedhaMedium/Dryland
Kenya Seed Company · 90-110 days · 8-12 bags/acre
High oil content (40-45%); resistant to downy mildew.
H8998Medium
Pannar Seeds · 85-100 days · 10-14 bags/acre
Hybrid; very high oil yield; uniform heads.

Economics

Market priceKES 48/kg
Expected yield750 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 36,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag