Growing Pineapple in Lamu

Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile

Lamu County is a challenging environment for Pineapple (soil-match score 28/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–6.5 band Pineapple prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's medium/low/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Pineapple, which favours sandy loam. Lamu receives approximately 600 mm/year — well below Pineapple's minimum of 1000 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pineapple is the #57 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Lamu County. Pineapple's full potential is about 25,000 kg/acre (~KES 875,000/acre at KES 35/kg), but at Lamu's 28/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 8,750 kg/acre (~KES 306,250/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Lamu's soil: Sesame (Simsim), Sorghum, and Cowpeas — each scores higher on the same soil.