Growing Tangerine in Nyeri

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyeri's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Nyeri is moderately suited to Tangerine. Nyeri's soil (pH 5.23, strongly acidic) gives Tangerine a suitability score of 61/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Nyeri County is a solid choice for Tangerine, with a soil-match score of 61/100. At an average pH of 5.23 the soil is moderately acidic, below Tangerine's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 1.09 g/kg, P 15.5 mg/kg, K 192 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Tangerine prefers loam soils, while Nyeri is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Tangerine is the #64 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyeri County. Tangerine's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Nyeri's 61/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 7,625 kg/acre (~KES 457,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

61Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNyeri soilTangerine needsStatus
pH5.2367.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.09 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus15.5 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium192 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,200 mm600–1,200 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m0–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar for Nyeri

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

March
Transplanting & Basal
April
Pruning & Top Dressing
May
Flowering & Fruit Set

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Transplanting & Basal
November
Pruning & Top Dressing
December
Fruit Development

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Three times per year
Instruction
Split feeding around the drip line; foliar zinc for leaf and fruit quality.
Bags per acre in Nyeri
0.750.6

Nyeri's nitrogen (1.09 g/kg) is 91% of the 1.2 g/kg Tangerine needs, so the standard 0.6 bags/acre is raised to 0.75. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Nyeri7,625 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 457,500/acre
Adjusted for Nyeri's 61/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Tangerine can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

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