Growing Barley in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Trans Nzoia County is a solid choice for Barley, with a soil-match score of 67/100. At an average pH of 5.93 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Barley's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Barley's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Barley, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Barley is the #70 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Trans Nzoia County. Barley's full potential is about 1,600 kg/acre (~KES 67,200/acre at KES 42/kg), but at Trans Nzoia's 67/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,340 kg/acre (~KES 56,280/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.