Growing Tea in Nyamira
Soil suitability analysis based on Nyamira's nutrient profile
Yes — Nyamira is well suited to Tea. Nyamira's soil (pH 5.58, slightly acidic) gives Tea a suitability score of 85/100. Match fertilizer to Nyamira's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Nyamira County is well suited to Tea, scoring 85/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.58 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–6 band Tea prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.84 g/kg, P 11.6 mg/kg, K 148 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Tea, which favours clay. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Tea is the #9 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyamira County. At current prices (about KES 25/kg) and a typical 2,200 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Tea crop here can gross roughly KES 55,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nyamira soil | Tea needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.58 | 4.5–6 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.84 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 11.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 148 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,600 mm | 1,100–2,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 1,500–3,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Nyamira
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· August–October
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Nyamira's nitrogen (0.84 g/kg) is 70% of the 1.2 g/kg Tea needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Nyamira
Varieties suited to Nyamira's 1,700 m altitude and 1,600 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 tea varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag