Growing Finger Millet in Uasin Gishu

Soil suitability analysis based on Uasin Gishu's nutrient profile

Uasin Gishu County is well suited to Finger Millet, scoring 83/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.39 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Finger Millet prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.56 g/kg), phosphorus (25.3 mg/kg) and potassium (227 mg/kg) all meet Finger Millet's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Finger Millet prefers sandy soils, while Uasin Gishu is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 60/kg) and a typical 800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Finger Millet crop here can gross roughly KES 48,000 per acre.

83Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorUasin Gishu soilFinger Millet needsStatus
pH6.3957OK
Nitrogen1.56 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.3 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium227 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,100 mm400–1,400 mmOK
Altitude2,100 m0–2,000 mHigh

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3–4 after germination
Instruction
One light application at vegetative stage. Do not over-apply.
Bags per Acre
0.3

Recommended seed varieties

P224Dryland/Medium
KALRO · 75-90 days · 6-8 bags/acre
Early maturing; blast disease tolerant.
U15Medium
KALRO · 90-100 days · 8-10 bags/acre
High yielding; good grain quality for flour.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield 800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 48,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag