Growing Aloe Vera in Taita Taveta
Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile
Taita Taveta County is well suited to Aloe Vera, scoring 88/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 6–8 band Aloe Vera prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 12.9 mg/kg, K 104 mg/kg against this crop's low/low/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly loam soils suit Aloe Vera, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 40/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Aloe Vera crop here can gross roughly KES 480,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Taita Taveta soil | Aloe Vera needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.64 | 6–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.97 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.9 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 104 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 500 mm | 250–700 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 700 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Sucker Planting & Basal
Month 2
Weeding
Month 3
Leaf Harvest
Short Rains
Month 1
Sucker Planting & Basal
Month 2
Weeding
Month 3
Leaf Harvest
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Twice per year
Instruction
Succulent — very light feeding. Good drainage matters more than fertilizer.
Bags per Acre
0.2
Economics
Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield 12,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 480,000/acre
Preferred textureSandy Loam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
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