Growing Guava in Marsabit

Soil suitability analysis based on Marsabit's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Marsabit is poorly suited to Guava. Marsabit's soil (pH 8.22, alkaline) gives Guava a suitability score of 10/100. Match fertilizer to Marsabit's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Marsabit County is a challenging environment for Guava (soil-match score 10/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.22 the soil sits above Guava's preferred 5.5–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.52 g/kg, P 37.3 mg/kg, K 420 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Guava prefers loam soils, while Marsabit is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Marsabit receives approximately 300 mm/year — well below Guava's minimum of 700 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Guava is the #66 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Marsabit County. Guava's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Marsabit's 10/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,250 kg/acre (~KES 75,000/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.

10Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMarsabit soilGuava needsStatus
pH8.225.57.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.52 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgLow
Phosphorus37.3 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium420 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall300 mm700–1,800 mmLow
Altitude1,100 m0–1,800 mOK

Planting calendar for Marsabit

Long Rains· MarchMay

March
Transplanting & Basal
April
Pruning & Top Dressing
May
Fruit Development

Short Rains· OctoberDecemberMain season here

October
Transplanting & Basal
November
Pruning & Top Dressing
December
Fruit Development

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Twice per year at start of rains
Instruction
Ring-apply around the drip line. Add NPK at flowering.
Bags per acre in Marsabit
0.750.5

Marsabit's nitrogen (0.52 g/kg) is 65% of the 0.8 g/kg Guava needs, so the standard 0.5 bags/acre is raised to 0.75. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Marsabit1,250 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 75,000/acre
Adjusted for Marsabit's 10/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Guava can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag