Growing Tangerine in Bungoma

Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile

Bungoma County is a solid choice for Tangerine, with a soil-match score of 62/100. At an average pH of 5.56 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Tangerine's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 1.12 g/kg, P 15.7 mg/kg, K 161 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Tangerine, which favours loam. Tangerine's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Bungoma's 62/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 7,750 kg/acre (~KES 465,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

62Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBungoma soilTangerine needsStatus
pH5.5667.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.12 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus15.7 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium161 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,400 mm600–1,200 mmHigh
Altitude1,500 m0–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Pruning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Flowering & Fruit Set

Short Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Pruning & Top Dressing
Month 3
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
0.6

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Bungoma7,750 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 465,000/acre
Adjusted for Bungoma's 62/100 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(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