Growing Sweet Orange in Tharaka Nithi

Soil suitability analysis based on Tharaka Nithi's nutrient profile

Tharaka Nithi County is a solid choice for Sweet Orange, with a soil-match score of 61/100. At an average pH of 4.99 the soil is strongly acidic, below Sweet Orange's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is phosphorus — measured at N 1.23 g/kg, P 19.6 mg/kg, K 211 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Sweet Orange, which favours loam. Sweet Orange's full potential is about 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Tharaka Nithi's 61/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 9,150 kg/acre (~KES 457,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.