Growing Cashew Nuts in Busia

Soil suitability analysis based on Busia's nutrient profile

Busia County is a challenging environment for Cashew Nuts (soil-match score 14/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.29 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7.5 band Cashew Nuts prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.91 g/kg), phosphorus (16.6 mg/kg) and potassium (175 mg/kg) all meet Cashew Nuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cashew Nuts prefers sandy soils, while Busia is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 1200 m, the county sits above Cashew Nuts's preferred altitude ceiling of 500 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Cashew Nuts's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 247,500/acre at KES 275/kg), but at Busia's 14/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 158 kg/acre (~KES 43,450/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.