Growing Guava in Murang'a

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

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Murang'a is moderately suited to Guava. Murang'a's soil (pH 5.03, strongly acidic) gives Guava a suitability score of 67/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Murang'a County is a solid choice for Guava, with a soil-match score of 67/100. At an average pH of 5.03 the soil is moderately acidic, below Guava's preferred 5.5–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.2 g/kg), phosphorus (12.2 mg/kg) and potassium (168 mg/kg) all meet Guava's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Guava prefers loam soils, while Murang'a is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Guava is the #34 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Murang'a County. Guava's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Murang'a's 67/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 8,375 kg/acre (~KES 502,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

67Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMurang'a soilGuava needsStatus
pH5.035.57.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.2 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.2 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium168 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm700–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,500 m0–1,800 mOK

Planting calendar for Murang'a

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

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

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

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 Murang'a
0.5

Murang'a's nitrogen (1.2 g/kg) already meets Guava's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Murang'a8,375 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 502,500/acre
Adjusted for Murang'a's 67/100 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