Growing Wambugu Apples in Elgeyo Marakwet

Soil suitability analysis based on Elgeyo Marakwet's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Elgeyo Marakwet is well suited to Wambugu Apples. Elgeyo Marakwet's soil (pH 6.27, slightly acidic) gives Wambugu Apples a suitability score of 92/100. Match fertilizer to Elgeyo Marakwet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Elgeyo Marakwet County is well suited to Wambugu Apples, scoring 92/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.27 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.39 g/kg), phosphorus (22.2 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Wambugu Apples's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Wambugu Apples, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 75/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Wambugu Apples crop here can gross roughly KES 300,000 per acre.

92Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorElgeyo Marakwet soilWambugu Apples needsStatus
pH6.2757OK
Nitrogen1.39 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus22.2 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium213 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,000 mm1,000–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,800 m1,500–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Biannual
Instruction
Apply at start of long and short rains. Young trees need half the rate of mature trees.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

WambuguMedium/Highland
KALRO · 730-1000 days · 2.7–4.5 tons/acre
Kenya-adapted apple; does not require chilling; good local market.

Economics

Market priceKES 75/kg
Expected yield 4,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 300,000/acre

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