Growing Sisal in Tharaka Nithi
Soil suitability analysis based on Tharaka Nithi's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Tharaka Nithi is only marginally suited to Sisal. Tharaka Nithi's soil (pH 4.99, strongly acidic) gives Sisal a suitability score of 53/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Sisal can be grown in Tharaka Nithi County, but the soil scores 53/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 4.99 the soil is strongly acidic, below Sisal's preferred 5.5–8.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.23 g/kg), phosphorus (19.6 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Sisal's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Sisal, which favours sandy. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sisal is the #79 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Tharaka Nithi County. Sisal's full potential is about 1,000 kg/acre (~KES 90,000/acre at KES 90/kg), but at Tharaka Nithi's 53/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 663 kg/acre (~KES 59,670/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Tharaka Nithi's soil: Avocado, Macadamia, and Cassava — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Tharaka Nithi soil | Sisal needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 4.99 | 5.5–8.5 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.23 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 19.6 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 211 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,100 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Tharaka Nithi's nitrogen reads 1.23 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Sisal is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Tharaka Nithi
Varieties suited to Tharaka Nithi's 1,100 m altitude and 900 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 1 sisal varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag