Growing Cashew Nuts in Garissa
Soil suitability analysis based on Garissa's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Garissa is poorly suited to Cashew Nuts. Garissa's soil (pH 7.96, alkaline) gives Cashew Nuts a suitability score of 11/100. Match fertilizer to Garissa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Garissa County is a challenging environment for Cashew Nuts (soil-match score 11/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.96 the soil sits above Cashew Nuts's preferred 5–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.61 g/kg), phosphorus (37.7 mg/kg) and potassium (407 mg/kg) all meet Cashew Nuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Cashew Nuts, which favours sandy. Garissa receives approximately 250 mm/year — well below Cashew Nuts's minimum of 600 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Cashew Nuts's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 247,500/acre at KES 275/kg), but at Garissa's 11/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 124 kg/acre (~KES 34,100/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Garissa soil | Cashew Nuts needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.96 | 5–7.5 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.61 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 37.7 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 407 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 250 mm | 600–1,500 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag