Growing Wambugu Apples in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Kericho is well suited to Wambugu Apples. Kericho's soil (pH 5.94, slightly acidic) gives Wambugu Apples a suitability score of 93/100. Match fertilizer to Kericho's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kericho County is well suited to Wambugu Apples, scoring 93/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.94 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Wambugu Apples's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Wambugu Apples prefers loam soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 75/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Wambugu Apples crop here can gross roughly KES 300,000 per acre.

93Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKericho soilWambugu Apples needsStatus
pH5.9457OK
Nitrogen1.34 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium225 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,800 mm1,000–1,800 mmOK
Altitude2,000 m1,500–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Biannual
Instruction
Apply at start of long and short rains. Young trees need half the rate of mature trees.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

WambuguMedium/Highland
KALRO · 730-1000 days · 2.7–4.5 tons/acre
Kenya-adapted apple; does not require chilling; good local market.

Economics

Market priceKES 75/kg
Expected yield 4,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 300,000/acre

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