Growing Sisal in Mandera
Soil suitability analysis based on Mandera's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Mandera is poorly suited to Sisal. Mandera's soil (pH 8.38, alkaline) gives Sisal a suitability score of 33/100. Match fertilizer to Mandera's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Mandera County is a challenging environment for Sisal (soil-match score 33/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 8.38 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Sisal prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.53 g/kg), phosphorus (38.3 mg/kg) and potassium (420 mg/kg) all meet Sisal's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Sisal, which favours sandy. Mandera receives approximately 180 mm/year — well below Sisal's minimum of 250 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Sisal is the single best-matched crop of the 106 we assess for Mandera County. Sisal's full potential is about 1,000 kg/acre (~KES 90,000/acre at KES 90/kg), but at Mandera's 33/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 413 kg/acre (~KES 37,170/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Mandera soil | Sisal 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 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 180 mm | 250–700 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 250 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag