Growing Tea in Tana River

Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile

Tana River County is a challenging environment for Tea (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 6.4 the soil sits above Tea's preferred 4.5–6 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 1.04 g/kg, P 8.5 mg/kg, K 108 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Tea prefers clay soils, while Tana River is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Tana River receives approximately 400 mm/year — well below Tea's minimum of 1100 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Tea is the #96 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Tana River County. Tea's full potential is about 2,200 kg/acre (~KES 55,000/acre at KES 25/kg), but at Tana River's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Tana River's soil: Sorghum, Cowpeas, and Pigeon Peas — each scores higher on the same soil.