Growing Sweet Orange in Nyandarua

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyandarua's nutrient profile

Sweet Orange can be grown in Nyandarua County, but the soil scores 53/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.38 the soil is moderately acidic, below Sweet Orange's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 1.28 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Sweet Orange prefers loam soils, while Nyandarua is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Sweet Orange's full potential is about 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Nyandarua's 53/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 7,950 kg/acre (~KES 397,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.