Growing Lemon in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Kericho County is a solid choice for Lemon, with a soil-match score of 73/100. At an average pH of 5.94 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Lemon's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Lemon's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Lemon prefers loam soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 10,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lemon crop here can gross roughly KES 500,000 per acre.

73Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKericho soilLemon needsStatus
pH5.9467.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.34 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.7 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium225 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,800 mm600–1,500 mmHigh
Altitude2,000 m0–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Pruning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Flowering & Fruit Set

Short Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Pruning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Fruit Development

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Three times per year
Instruction
Split citrus feeding across the year. Foliar zinc and manganese keep leaves healthy.
Bags per Acre
0.6

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield in Kericho9,125 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 456,250/acre
Adjusted for Kericho's 73/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Lemon can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 500,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

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