Growing Cashew Nuts in Garissa

Soil suitability analysis based on Garissa's nutrient profile

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. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cashew Nuts is the #38 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Garissa County. 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.

Better matched to Garissa's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.