Growing Jute Mallow (Mrenda) in Nakuru

Soil suitability analysis based on Nakuru's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Nakuru is well suited to Jute Mallow (Mrenda). Nakuru's soil (pH 6.28, slightly acidic) gives Jute Mallow (Mrenda) a suitability score of 93/100. Match fertilizer to Nakuru's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Nakuru County is well suited to Jute Mallow (Mrenda), scoring 93/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.28 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–7 band Jute Mallow (Mrenda) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.59 g/kg), phosphorus (25.2 mg/kg) and potassium (239 mg/kg) all meet Jute Mallow (Mrenda)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Jute Mallow (Mrenda), which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Jute Mallow (Mrenda) is the #22 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nakuru County. 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.

93Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNakuru soilJute Mallow (Mrenda) needsStatus
pH6.285.87OK
Nitrogen1.59 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.2 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium239 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall900 mm600–1,400 mmOK
Altitude1,750 m0–2,000 mOK

Planting calendar for Nakuru

Long Rains· AprilJuneMain season here

April
Direct Sowing & Basal
May
Thinning & Top Dressing
June
Continuous Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Direct Sowing & Basal
November
Thinning & Top Dressing
December
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 in Nakuru
0.250.3

Nakuru's nitrogen (1.59 g/kg) already meets Jute Mallow (Mrenda)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

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(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