Growing Guava in Kirinyaga

Soil suitability analysis based on Kirinyaga's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Kirinyaga is moderately suited to Guava. Kirinyaga's soil (pH 5.31, strongly acidic) gives Guava a suitability score of 73/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Kirinyaga County is a solid choice for Guava, with a soil-match score of 73/100. At an average pH of 5.31 the soil is moderately acidic, below Guava's preferred 5.5–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.36 g/kg), phosphorus (12.5 mg/kg) and potassium (177 mg/kg) all meet Guava's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Guava prefers loam soils, while Kirinyaga is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Guava is the #34 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kirinyaga County. At current prices (about KES 60/kg) and a typical 10,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Guava crop here can gross roughly KES 600,000 per acre.

73Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKirinyaga soilGuava needsStatus
pH5.315.57.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.36 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium177 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,300 mm700–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,500 m0–1,800 mOK

Planting calendar for Kirinyaga

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

March
Transplanting & Basal
April
Pruning & Top Dressing
May
Fruit Development

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Transplanting & Basal
November
Pruning & Top Dressing
December
Fruit Development

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Twice per year at start of rains
Instruction
Ring-apply around the drip line. Add NPK at flowering.
Bags per acre in Kirinyaga
0.5

Kirinyaga's nitrogen (1.36 g/kg) already meets Guava's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Kirinyaga9,125 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 547,500/acre
Adjusted for Kirinyaga's 73/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Guava can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/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(5,700)
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