Growing Cashew Nuts in Nandi
Soil suitability analysis based on Nandi's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Nandi is poorly suited to Cashew Nuts. Nandi's soil (pH 6.17, slightly acidic) gives Cashew Nuts a suitability score of 6/100. Match fertilizer to Nandi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Nandi County is a challenging environment for Cashew Nuts (soil-match score 6/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.17 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7.5 band Cashew Nuts prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.37 g/kg), phosphorus (26.4 mg/kg) and potassium (207 mg/kg) all meet Cashew Nuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cashew Nuts prefers sandy soils, while Nandi is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 1900 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. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cashew Nuts is the #105 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nandi County. Cashew Nuts's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 247,500/acre at KES 275/kg), but at Nandi's 6/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 68 kg/acre (~KES 18,700/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Nandi's soil: Garden Peas, Maize, and Kale (Sukuma Wiki) — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nandi soil | Cashew Nuts needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.17 | 5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.37 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 26.4 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 207 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,400 mm | 600–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 0–500 m | High |
Planting calendar for Nandi
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· August–October
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Nandi's nitrogen (1.37 g/kg) already meets Cashew Nuts's 0.5 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Nandi's 1,900 m altitude and 1,400 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag