Growing Tea in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Makueni County is a challenging environment for Tea (soil-match score 7/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.5 the soil sits above Tea's preferred 4.5–6 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.86 g/kg, P 29.6 mg/kg, K 351 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Tea prefers clay soils, while Makueni is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Makueni 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 #106 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Makueni County. Tea's full potential is about 2,200 kg/acre (~KES 55,000/acre at KES 25/kg), but at Makueni's 7/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 193 kg/acre (~KES 4,825/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Makueni's soil: Lucerne, Mango, and Sisal — each scores higher on the same soil.