Growing Pineapple in Tana River

Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile

Tana River County is a challenging environment for Pineapple (soil-match score 12/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–6.5 band Pineapple 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 medium/low/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Pineapple, which favours sandy loam. Tana River receives approximately 400 mm/year — well below Pineapple's minimum of 1000 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 35/kg) and a typical 30,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pineapple crop here can gross roughly KES 1,050,000 per acre.