Growing Tea in Lamu

Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile

Lamu County is a challenging environment for Tea (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 6.31 the soil sits above Tea's preferred 4.5–6 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Tea prefers clay soils, while Lamu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Lamu receives approximately 600 mm/year — well below Tea's minimum of 1100 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Tea is the #68 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Lamu County. Tea's full potential is about 2,200 kg/acre (~KES 55,000/acre at KES 25/kg), but at Lamu's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/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.