Growing Cashew Nuts in Meru

Soil suitability analysis based on Meru's nutrient profile

Meru County is a challenging environment for Cashew Nuts (soil-match score 8/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 4.88 the soil is strongly acidic, below Cashew Nuts's preferred 5–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.22 g/kg), phosphorus (20.3 mg/kg) and potassium (218 mg/kg) all meet Cashew Nuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cashew Nuts prefers sandy soils, while Meru is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 1500 m, the county sits above Cashew Nuts's preferred altitude ceiling of 500 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Cashew Nuts's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 247,500/acre at KES 275/kg), but at Meru's 8/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 90 kg/acre (~KES 24,750/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.