Growing Pixie Oranges in Kajiado

Soil suitability analysis based on Kajiado's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Kajiado is moderately suited to Pixie Oranges. Kajiado's soil (pH 6.55, near-neutral) gives Pixie Oranges a suitability score of 64/100. Match fertilizer to Kajiado's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kajiado County is a solid choice for Pixie Oranges, with a soil-match score of 64/100. Local soils average pH 6.55 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Pixie Oranges prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.97 g/kg), phosphorus (20.6 mg/kg) and potassium (257 mg/kg) all meet Pixie Oranges's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Pixie Oranges, which favours sandy loam. Pixie Oranges's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 224,000/acre at KES 28/kg), but at Kajiado's 64/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 6,400 kg/acre (~KES 179,200/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

64Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKajiado soilPixie Oranges needsStatus
pH6.555.57.5OK
Nitrogen0.97 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus20.6 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium257 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall500 mm600–1,200 mmLow
Altitude1,300 m1,000–2,000 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Biannual start of rains
Instruction
Apply in a ring around the drip line. Foliar zinc and manganese every season for fruit quality.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

PixieMedium/Highland
KALRO/HCDA · 1000-1500 days · 7.2–10.8 tons/acre
Seedless; thin skin; excellent sweetness; high export demand.
Washington NavelMedium
KALRO · 1000-1500 days · 6.3–9 tons/acre
Large navel orange; seedless; good fresh market variety.

Economics

Market priceKES 28/kg
Expected yield in Kajiado6,400 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 179,200/acre
Adjusted for Kajiado's 64/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Pixie Oranges can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 224,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy Loam

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