Growing Mango in Garissa
Soil suitability analysis based on Garissa's nutrient profile
Garissa County is a challenging environment for Mango (soil-match score 19/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.96 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Mango prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.61 g/kg), phosphorus (37.7 mg/kg) and potassium (407 mg/kg) all meet Mango's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Mango, which favours sandy. Garissa receives approximately 250 mm/year — well below Mango's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 10/kg) and a typical 2,800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Mango crop here can gross roughly KES 28,000 per acre.
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Garissa soil | Mango needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.96 | 5.5–8.5 | OK |
| 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 |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag