Growing Maize in Vihiga
Soil suitability analysis based on Vihiga's nutrient profile
Yes — Vihiga is well suited to Maize. Vihiga's soil (pH 5.62, slightly acidic) gives Maize a suitability score of 75/100. Match fertilizer to Vihiga's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Vihiga County is well suited to Maize, scoring 75/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.62 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Maize prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and phosphorus — measured at N 1.02 g/kg, P 14.8 mg/kg, K 164 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Maize, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Maize is the #25 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Vihiga 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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Vihiga soil | Maize needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.62 | 5.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.02 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 14.8 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 164 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,800 mm | 500–1,600 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–2,500 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Vihiga
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· August–October
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Vihiga's nitrogen (1.02 g/kg) is 85% of the 1.2 g/kg Maize needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Vihiga
Varieties suited to Vihiga's 1,700 m altitude and 1,800 mm annual rainfall — 18 of 24 maize varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag