Growing Pixie Oranges in Bungoma

Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Bungoma is moderately suited to Pixie Oranges. Bungoma's soil (pH 5.56, slightly acidic) gives Pixie Oranges a suitability score of 72/100. Match fertilizer to Bungoma's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Bungoma County is a solid choice for Pixie Oranges, with a soil-match score of 72/100. Local soils average pH 5.56 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Pixie Oranges prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.12 g/kg, P 15.7 mg/kg, K 161 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Pixie Oranges prefers sandy loam soils, while Bungoma is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pixie Oranges crop here can gross roughly KES 224,000 per acre.

72Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBungoma soilPixie Oranges needsStatus
pH5.565.57.5OK
Nitrogen1.12 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus15.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium161 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,400 mm600–1,200 mmHigh
Altitude1,500 m1,000–2,000 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Biannual start of rains
Instruction
Apply in a ring around the drip line. Foliar zinc and manganese every season for fruit quality.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

PixieMedium/Highland
KALRO/HCDA · 1000-1500 days · 7.2–10.8 tons/acre
Seedless; thin skin; excellent sweetness; high export demand.
Washington NavelMedium
KALRO · 1000-1500 days · 6.3–9 tons/acre
Large navel orange; seedless; good fresh market variety.

Economics

Market priceKES 28/kg
Expected yield in Bungoma7,200 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 201,600/acre
Adjusted for Bungoma's 72/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Pixie Oranges can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 224,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
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