Growing Sugarcane in Vihiga
Soil suitability analysis based on Vihiga's nutrient profile
Vihiga County is a solid choice for Sugarcane, with a soil-match score of 71/100. Local soils average pH 5.62 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Sugarcane prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 1.02 g/kg, P 14.8 mg/kg, K 164 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Sugarcane, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 5/kg) and a typical 27,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Sugarcane crop here can gross roughly KES 135,000 per acre.
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Vihiga soil | Sugarcane 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 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 164 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag