Growing Mango in Tana River
Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Tana River is only marginally suited to Mango. Tana River's soil (pH 6.4, slightly acidic) gives Mango a suitability score of 54/100. Match fertilizer to Tana River's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Mango can be grown in Tana River County, but the soil scores 54/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Mango prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.04 g/kg, P 8.5 mg/kg, K 108 mg/kg against this crop's low/low/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Mango, which favours sandy. Mango's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 80,000/acre at KES 10/kg), but at Tana River's 54/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 5,400 kg/acre (~KES 54,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Tana River soil | Mango needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.4 | 5.5–8.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.04 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 8.5 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 108 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 400 mm | 500–1,200 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–1,200 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag