Growing Mango in Samburu
Soil suitability analysis based on Samburu's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Samburu is poorly suited to Mango. Samburu's soil (pH 8.28, alkaline) gives Mango a suitability score of 33/100. Match fertilizer to Samburu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
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. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Mango is the #20 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Samburu County. 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.
Better matched to Samburu's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Samburu soil | Mango needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 8.28 | 5.5–8.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.67 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 42.1 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 387 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 350 mm | 500–1,200 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 900 m | 0–1,200 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Samburu's nitrogen (0.67 g/kg) already meets Mango's 0.5 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Samburu
Varieties suited to Samburu's 900 m altitude and 350 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 mango varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag