Growing Tangerine in Bomet

Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Bomet is moderately suited to Tangerine. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Tangerine a suitability score of 73/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Bomet County is a solid choice for Tangerine, with a soil-match score of 73/100. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Tangerine prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Tangerine's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Tangerine, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Tangerine is the #59 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 Tangerine crop here can gross roughly KES 600,000 per acre.

73Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBomet soilTangerine needsStatus
pH6.0267.5OK
Nitrogen1.38 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.6 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium237 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,500 mm600–1,200 mmHigh
Altitude1,900 m0–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar for Bomet

Long Rains· AprilJuneMain season here

April
Transplanting & Basal
May
Pruning & Top Dressing
June
Flowering & Fruit Set

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

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

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Three times per year
Instruction
Split feeding around the drip line; foliar zinc for leaf and fruit quality.
Bags per acre in Bomet
0.50.6

Bomet's nitrogen (1.38 g/kg) already meets Tangerine's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Bomet9,125 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 547,500/acre
Adjusted for Bomet's 73/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Tangerine can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

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