Growing Groundnuts in Tana River

Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile

Groundnuts 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 5–7 band Groundnuts 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 low/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Groundnuts, which favours sandy. Groundnuts's full potential is about 500 kg/acre (~KES 45,000/acre at KES 90/kg), but at Tana River's 53/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 331 kg/acre (~KES 29,790/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

53Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTana River soilGroundnuts needsStatus
pH6.457OK
Nitrogen1.04 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus8.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium108 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall400 mm500–1,400 mmLow
Altitude200 m0–1,800 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Groundnuts fix their own Nitrogen. Apply gypsum at pegging for calcium.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

ICGV-SM 99568Dryland/Medium
ICRISAT/KALRO · 90-100 days · 8-12 bags/acre
Rosette virus resistant; high oil content.
Red ValenciaDryland
Local/KALRO · 100-110 days · 6-10 bags/acre
Popular local market variety; good taste.

Economics

Market priceKES 90/kg
Expected yield in Tana River331 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 29,790/acre
Adjusted for Tana River's 53/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Groundnuts can reach 500 kg/acre (~KES 45,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy

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