Growing Mango in Samburu

Soil suitability analysis based on Samburu's nutrient profile

Samburu County is a challenging environment for Mango (soil-match score 33/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 8.28 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Mango prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.67 g/kg), phosphorus (42.1 mg/kg) and potassium (387 mg/kg) all meet Mango's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Mango, which favours sandy. Samburu receives approximately 350 mm/year — well below Mango's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Mango's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 80,000/acre at KES 10/kg), but at Samburu's 33/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 3,300 kg/acre (~KES 33,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.