Growing Guava in Bomet

Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Bomet is well suited to Guava. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Guava a suitability score of 81/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Bomet County is well suited to Guava, scoring 81/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Guava prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Guava's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Guava, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Guava is the #40 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bomet County. At current prices (about KES 60/kg) and a typical 10,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Guava crop here can gross roughly KES 600,000 per acre.

81Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBomet soilGuava needsStatus
pH6.025.57.5OK
Nitrogen1.38 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.6 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium237 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,500 mm700–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,900 m0–1,800 mHigh

Planting calendar for Bomet

Long Rains· AprilJuneMain season here

April
Transplanting & Basal
May
Pruning & Top Dressing
June
Fruit Development

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Transplanting & Basal
November
Pruning & Top Dressing
December
Fruit Development

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Twice per year at start of rains
Instruction
Ring-apply around the drip line. Add NPK at flowering.
Bags per acre in Bomet
0.5

Bomet's nitrogen (1.38 g/kg) already meets Guava's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield 10,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 600,000/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