Growing Lemon in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Trans Nzoia County is well suited to Lemon, scoring 82/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.93 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Lemon's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Lemon's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Lemon, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 10,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lemon crop here can gross roughly KES 500,000 per acre.

82Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTrans Nzoia soilLemon needsStatus
pH5.9367.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.68 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus27.3 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium213 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm600–1,500 mmOK
Altitude1,900 m0–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Pruning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Flowering & Fruit Set

Short Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Pruning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Fruit Development

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Three times per year
Instruction
Split citrus feeding across the year. Foliar zinc and manganese keep leaves healthy.
Bags per Acre
0.6

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield 10,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 500,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag