Growing Pixie Oranges in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Trans Nzoia County is well suited to Pixie Oranges, scoring 88/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.93 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Pixie Oranges prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Pixie Oranges's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Pixie Oranges, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pixie Oranges crop here can gross roughly KES 112,000 per acre.

88Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientTrans Nzoia soilPixie Oranges needsStatus
pH5.935.57.5OK
Nitrogen1.68 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus27.3 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium213 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Biannual start of rains
Instruction
Apply under tree canopy ring. Add zinc foliar to prevent fruit drop.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

PixieMedium/Highland
KALRO/HCDA · 1000-1500 days · 80-120 tons/acre
Seedless; thin skin; excellent sweetness; high export demand.
Washington NavelMedium
KALRO · 1000-1500 days · 70-100 tons/acre
Large navel orange; seedless; good fresh market variety.

Economics

Market priceKES 28/kg
Expected yield4,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 112,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

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

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag