Growing Groundnuts in Mandera

Soil suitability analysis based on Mandera's nutrient profile

Mandera County is a challenging environment for Groundnuts (soil-match score 7/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.38 the soil sits above Groundnuts's preferred 5–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.53 g/kg), phosphorus (38.3 mg/kg) and potassium (420 mg/kg) all meet Groundnuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Groundnuts, which favours sandy. Mandera receives approximately 180 mm/year — well below Groundnuts's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Groundnuts is the #19 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mandera County. Groundnuts's full potential is about 500 kg/acre (~KES 45,000/acre at KES 90/kg), but at Mandera's 7/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 44 kg/acre (~KES 3,960/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Mandera's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.