Onions Farming Guide — Kenya
Soil requirements, top counties, seed varieties, fertilizer plan & economics
Soil Requirements
pH Range
6–7
Nitrogen
high
Phosphorus
high
Potassium
medium
Preferred texture: Sandy Loam
Best Counties for Onions
Challenging Counties for Onions
These counties may need soil amendments for Onions
Certified Seed Varieties
Red CreoleMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 90-120 days · 120-160 bags/acre
Popular red onion; good storage quality.
Bombay RedMedium
East Africa Seeds · 100-130 days · 100-140 bags/acre
Large bulb size; pungent flavor; high market value.
Economics
Market priceKES 80/kg
Expected yield4,000 kg/acre
Est. revenueKES 320,000/acre
Top Dressing
Product: CAN
Timing: Week 3–4 after transplanting
Bags/acre: 0.5
Apply when bulb formation begins. Do not apply after bulbing starts.
Fertilizer Prices
DAPKES 2,500
CANKES 2,500
NPK 17:17:17KES 2,500
UreaKES 2,500
LimeKES 1,500
Subsidized price / 50kg bag