Growing Tomato in Tharaka Nithi

Soil suitability analysis based on Tharaka Nithi's nutrient profile

Tharaka Nithi County is a solid choice for Tomato, with a soil-match score of 65/100. At an average pH of 4.99 the soil is strongly acidic, below Tomato's preferred 6–7 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 Tomato, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Tomato is the #39 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Tharaka Nithi County. Tomato's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 750,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Tharaka Nithi's 65/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 12,188 kg/acre (~KES 609,400/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.