Growing Mango in Kericho
Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Kericho is poorly suited to Mango. Kericho's soil (pH 5.94, slightly acidic) gives Mango a suitability score of 21/100. Match fertilizer to Kericho's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kericho County is a challenging environment for Mango (soil-match score 21/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.94 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Mango prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Mango's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Mango prefers sandy soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 2000 m, the county sits above Mango's preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Mango is the #104 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kericho County. Mango's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 80,000/acre at KES 10/kg), but at Kericho's 21/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 2,100 kg/acre (~KES 21,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Kericho's soil: Kale (Sukuma Wiki), Sweet Potato, and Wambugu Apples — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kericho soil | Mango needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.94 | 5.5–8.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.34 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.7 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 225 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,800 mm | 500–1,200 mm | High |
| Altitude | 2,000 m | 0–1,200 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Kericho's nitrogen (1.34 g/kg) already meets Mango's 0.5 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Kericho's 2,000 m altitude and 1,800 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag