Growing Tea in Busia

Soil suitability analysis based on Busia's nutrient profile

Tea can be grown in Busia County, but the soil scores 57/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.29 — moderately acidic and inside the 4.5–6 band Tea prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.91 g/kg, P 16.6 mg/kg, K 175 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Tea, which favours clay. Tea's full potential is about 2,200 kg/acre (~KES 55,000/acre at KES 25/kg), but at Busia's 57/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,568 kg/acre (~KES 39,200/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.