Growing Cashew Nuts in Marsabit

Soil suitability analysis based on Marsabit's nutrient profile

Marsabit County is a challenging environment for Cashew Nuts (soil-match score 3/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.22 the soil sits above Cashew Nuts's preferred 5–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.52 g/kg), phosphorus (37.3 mg/kg) and potassium (420 mg/kg) all meet Cashew Nuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Cashew Nuts, which favours sandy. Marsabit receives approximately 300 mm/year — well below Cashew Nuts's minimum of 600 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cashew Nuts is the #98 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Marsabit County. Cashew Nuts's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 247,500/acre at KES 275/kg), but at Marsabit's 3/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 34 kg/acre (~KES 9,350/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

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