Growing Moringa in Tana River
Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile
Tana River County is well suited to Moringa, scoring 80/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–8 band Moringa 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 Moringa, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 100/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Moringa crop here can gross roughly KES 400,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Tana River soil | Moringa needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.4 | 6–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.04 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 8.5 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 108 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 400 mm | 400–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–1,400 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Top dressing guide
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag