Growing Sunflower in Turkana

Soil suitability analysis based on Turkana's nutrient profile

Turkana County is a challenging environment for Sunflower (soil-match score 34/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.95 the soil sits above Sunflower's preferred 6–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.41 g/kg, P 38.5 mg/kg, K 417 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Sunflower, which favours sandy. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sunflower is the #12 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Turkana County. Sunflower's full potential is about 750 kg/acre (~KES 36,000/acre at KES 48/kg), but at Turkana's 34/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 319 kg/acre (~KES 15,312/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Turkana's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.