Growing Mango in Bungoma
Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Bungoma is only marginally suited to Mango. Bungoma's soil (pH 5.56, slightly acidic) gives Mango a suitability score of 41/100. Match fertilizer to Bungoma's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bungoma County is a challenging environment for Mango (soil-match score 41/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.56 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Mango prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.12 g/kg), phosphorus (15.7 mg/kg) and potassium (161 mg/kg) all meet Mango's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Mango prefers sandy soils, while Bungoma is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 1500 m, the county sits above Mango's preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Mango is the #92 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bungoma County. Mango's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 80,000/acre at KES 10/kg), but at Bungoma's 41/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 4,100 kg/acre (~KES 41,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Bungoma's soil: Macadamia, Avocado, and Pineapple — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bungoma soil | Mango needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.56 | 5.5–8.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.12 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 15.7 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 161 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,400 mm | 500–1,200 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 0–1,200 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Bungoma's nitrogen (1.12 g/kg) already meets Mango's 0.5 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Bungoma's 1,500 m altitude and 1,400 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag