Growing Macadamia in Kiambu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kiambu's nutrient profile
Kiambu County is well suited to Macadamia, scoring 92/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.28 — moderately acidic and inside the 4.5–6.5 band Macadamia prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.01 g/kg), phosphorus (13.7 mg/kg) and potassium (169 mg/kg) all meet Macadamia's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Macadamia prefers loam soils, while Kiambu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 110/kg) and a typical 1,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Macadamia crop here can gross roughly KES 165,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Kiambu soil | Macadamia needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.28 | 4.5–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.01 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 13.7 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 169 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Start of rains (biannual)
Instruction
Apply in ring around drip line. Young trees need less.
Bags per Acre
0.5
Recommended seed varieties
KRG 15Medium/Highland
KALRO · 1000-1500 days · 2.7–4.5 tons/acre
High nut recovery; suited to central highlands.
Embu 1Medium/Highland
KALRO · 1000-1500 days · 2.3–4.0 tons/acre
Good kernel quality; moderate yield.
EMB-3Medium/Highland
KALRO-Thika · 1400-1550 days · 3.1–5.0 tons/acre
High first-grade nut ratio; good kernel recovery; KEPHIS certified; suited to Central Kenya highlands.
Economics
Market priceKES 110/kg
Expected yield1,500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 165,000/acre
Preferred textureLoam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag