Growing Jute Mallow (Mrenda) in Trans Nzoia
Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile
Trans Nzoia County is well suited to Jute Mallow (Mrenda), scoring 90/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.93 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–7 band Jute Mallow (Mrenda) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Jute Mallow (Mrenda)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Jute Mallow (Mrenda), which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Jute Mallow (Mrenda) crop here can gross roughly KES 250,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Trans Nzoia soil | Jute Mallow (Mrenda) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.93 | 5.8–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.68 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 27.3 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 213 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 600–1,400 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Top dressing guide
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag