Growing Dragon Fruit in Tana River

Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile

Dragon Fruit can be grown in Tana River County, but the soil scores 53/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Dragon Fruit prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 1.04 g/kg, P 8.5 mg/kg, K 108 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Dragon Fruit, which favours sandy loam. Dragon Fruit's full potential is about 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 2,500,000/acre at KES 500/kg), but at Tana River's 53/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 3,313 kg/acre (~KES 1,656,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.