Growing Mango in Kakamega

Soil suitability analysis based on Kakamega's nutrient profile

Kakamega County is a challenging environment for Mango (soil-match score 32/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.63 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Mango prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 147 mg/kg against this crop's low/low/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Mango prefers sandy soils, while Kakamega is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 1500 m, the county sits above Mango's preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Mango's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 80,000/acre at KES 10/kg), but at Kakamega's 32/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 3,200 kg/acre (~KES 32,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.