Growing Cashew Nuts in Murang'a

Soil suitability analysis based on Murang'a's nutrient profile

Murang'a County is a challenging environment for Cashew Nuts (soil-match score 8/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.03 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7.5 band Cashew Nuts prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.2 g/kg), phosphorus (12.2 mg/kg) and potassium (168 mg/kg) all meet Cashew Nuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cashew Nuts prefers sandy soils, while Murang'a is largely clay, 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 Murang'a's 8/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 90 kg/acre (~KES 24,750/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.