Growing Jute Mallow (Mrenda) in Nairobi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile

Nairobi County is well suited to Jute Mallow (Mrenda), scoring 88/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.85 — neutral and inside the 5.8–7 band Jute Mallow (Mrenda) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 1.1 g/kg, P 22.1 mg/kg, K 236 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Jute Mallow (Mrenda), which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Jute Mallow (Mrenda) crop here can gross roughly KES 250,000 per acre.

88Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNairobi soilJute Mallow (Mrenda) needsStatus
pH6.855.87OK
Nitrogen1.1 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus22.1 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium236 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall900 mm600–1,400 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m0–2,000 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Thinning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Continuous Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Thinning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Continuous Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2 and after each harvest
Instruction
Top-dress after each cutting for continuous leaf harvest.
Bags per Acre
0.3

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield 5,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 250,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
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