Growing Sorghum in West Pokot
Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — West Pokot is moderately suited to Sorghum. West Pokot's soil (pH 6.04, slightly acidic) gives Sorghum a suitability score of 71/100. Match fertilizer to West Pokot's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
West Pokot County is a solid choice for Sorghum, with a soil-match score of 71/100. Local soils average pH 6.04 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Sorghum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Sorghum's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Sorghum prefers clay soils, while West Pokot is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sorghum is the #78 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for West Pokot County. Sorghum's full potential is about 1,200 kg/acre (~KES 81,600/acre at KES 68/kg), but at West Pokot's 71/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,065 kg/acre (~KES 72,420/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | West Pokot soil | Sorghum needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.04 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.67 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 24.8 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 211 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,000 mm | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Planting calendar for West Pokot
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
West Pokot's nitrogen (1.67 g/kg) already meets Sorghum's 0.5 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for West Pokot
Varieties suited to West Pokot's 1,500 m altitude and 1,000 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 sorghum varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag