Growing Mango in Mandera
Soil suitability analysis based on Mandera's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Mandera is poorly suited to Mango. Mandera's soil (pH 8.38, alkaline) gives Mango a suitability score of 8/100. Match fertilizer to Mandera's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Mandera County is a challenging environment for Mango (soil-match score 8/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 8.38 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Mango prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.53 g/kg), phosphorus (38.3 mg/kg) and potassium (420 mg/kg) all meet Mango's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Mango, which favours sandy. Mandera receives approximately 180 mm/year — well below Mango's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Mango is the #16 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mandera County. Mango's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 80,000/acre at KES 10/kg), but at Mandera's 8/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 800 kg/acre (~KES 8,000/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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Mandera soil | Mango needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 8.38 | 5.5–8.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.53 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 38.3 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 420 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 180 mm | 500–1,200 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 250 m | 0–1,200 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Mandera's nitrogen (0.53 g/kg) already meets Mango's 0.5 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Mandera
Varieties suited to Mandera's 250 m altitude and 180 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 mango varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag