Growing Macadamia in Kisii
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisii's nutrient profile
Yes — Kisii is well suited to Macadamia. Kisii's soil (pH 5.21, strongly acidic) gives Macadamia a suitability score of 90/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Kisii County is well suited to Macadamia, scoring 90/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.21 — moderately acidic and inside the 4.5–6.5 band Macadamia prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.09 g/kg), phosphorus (13.1 mg/kg) and potassium (151 mg/kg) all meet Macadamia's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Macadamia, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Macadamia is the #2 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kisii County. At current prices (about KES 110/kg) and a typical 1,800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Macadamia crop here can gross roughly KES 198,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisii soil | Macadamia needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.21 | 4.5–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.09 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 13.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 151 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 700–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 900–2,100 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag