Growing Mango in Narok

Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Possible but challenging — Narok is only marginally suited to Mango. Narok's soil (pH 6.13, slightly acidic) gives Mango a suitability score of 41/100. Match fertilizer to Narok's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Narok County is a challenging environment for Mango (soil-match score 41/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.13 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Mango prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 mg/kg) all meet Mango's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Mango prefers sandy soils, while Narok is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 1700 m, the county sits above Mango's preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Mango's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 80,000/acre at KES 10/kg), but at Narok's 41/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 4,100 kg/acre (~KES 41,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

41Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNarok soilMango needsStatus
pH6.135.58.5OK
Nitrogen1.63 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.7 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium234 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall800 mm500–1,200 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m0–1,200 mHigh

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Before flowering (once annually)
Instruction
Apply 2–3 months before expected flowering. Excess N delays fruiting.
Bags per Acre
0.3

Recommended seed varieties

Apple MangoCoastal/Dryland
KALRO/HCDA · 1000-1200 days · 3.6–5.4 tons/acre
Most popular domestic variety; sweet and juicy.
Tommy AtkinsCoastal/Dryland
KALRO/HCDA · 1000-1200 days · 4.5–7.2 tons/acre
Export quality; good shelf life; disease tolerant.

Economics

Market priceKES 10/kg
Expected yield in Narok4,100 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 41,000/acre
Adjusted for Narok's 41/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Mango can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 80,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy

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