Growing Maize in Uasin Gishu

Soil suitability analysis based on Uasin Gishu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Uasin Gishu is well suited to Maize. Uasin Gishu's soil (pH 6.39, slightly acidic) gives Maize a suitability score of 93/100. Match fertilizer to Uasin Gishu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Uasin Gishu County is well suited to Maize, scoring 93/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.39 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Maize prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.56 g/kg), phosphorus (25.3 mg/kg) and potassium (227 mg/kg) all meet Maize's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Maize, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Maize is the #7 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Uasin Gishu County. At current prices (about KES 45/kg) and a typical 1,800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Maize crop here can gross roughly KES 81,000 per acre.

93Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorUasin Gishu soilMaize needsStatus
pH6.395.5–7OK
Nitrogen1.56 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.3 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium227 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,100 mm500–1,600 mmOK
Altitude2,100 m0–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar for Uasin Gishu

Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here

April
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer (DAP/NPK)
May
Top Dressing (CAN/Urea) & 1st Weeding
June
Crop Protection & Scouting

Short Rains· October–December

October
Fast Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
November
Top Dressing & Weeding
December
Fast Growth Scouting

Dry Season· February–April

February
Land Preparation & Manure
March
Soil Testing & Resting
April
Seed Selection & Storage

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4–6 after germination
Instruction
When plant is knee-high broadcast between rows
Bags per acre in Uasin Gishu
1

Uasin Gishu's nitrogen (1.56 g/kg) already meets Maize's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Seed varieties for Uasin Gishu

Varieties suited to Uasin Gishu's 2,100 m altitude and 1,100 mm annual rainfall — 13 of 24 maize varieties we list.

H614Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 180-240 days · 35-40 bags/acre
Excellent grain quality; tolerant to common blights.
H6218Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 170-210 days · 38-42 bags/acre
High yielding; strong stalk preventing lodging.
H625Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 150-180 days · 32-40 bags/acre
Frost tolerant; resistant to grey leaf spot and northern blight; suited to cold highlands 1800-2500m.
H6213Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 150-200 days · 40-54 bags/acre
High yielding; excellent ear rot and GLS resistance; large cobs; good standability 1500-2100m.
H626Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 150-190 days · 40-50 bags/acre
Semi-dent; stays green at harvest for dual grain and fodder use; resistant to GLS.
H628Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 150-195 days · 31-50 bags/acre
Late maturity; suited to cold and wet highland conditions 1600-2300m; good disease tolerance.
H629Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 150-190 days · 36-45 bags/acre
Good standability; stays green; high potential highland zone 1500-2100m.
H623Medium/Highland
Kenya Seed Company · 120-150 days · 31-40 bags/acre
Resistant to blight rust and grey leaf spot; good husk cover; medium altitude 1400-1700m.
WH507Medium/Highland
Western Seed Company · 130-160 days · 27-40 bags/acre
Tolerant to leaf diseases; good standability; widely adapted medium to high altitude 1000-1700m.
Embu-537Medium/Highland
KALRO · 120-140 days · 28-32 bags/acre
Medium altitude composite; consistent yield under Central Kenya conditions.
FAWTH2001Medium/Highland
CIMMYT/KALRO · 130-150 days · 32-38 bags/acre
MLN-tolerant; developed in response to Maize Lethal Necrosis; KEPHIS listed.
FAWTH2002Medium/Highland
CIMMYT/KALRO · 125-145 days · 30-36 bags/acre
MLN-tolerant; CIMMYT East Africa release; grey leaf spot resistant.
FAWTH2003Medium/Highland
CIMMYT/KALRO · 120-140 days · 28-34 bags/acre
MLN-tolerant; combined resistance package; suited to highland Kenya.

Economics

Market priceKES 45/kg
Expected yield 1,800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 81,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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