Growing Cashew Nuts in Turkana
Soil suitability analysis based on Turkana's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Turkana is poorly suited to Cashew Nuts. Turkana's soil (pH 7.95, alkaline) gives Cashew Nuts a suitability score of 14/100. Match fertilizer to Turkana's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Turkana County is a challenging environment for Cashew Nuts (soil-match score 14/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.95 the soil sits above Cashew Nuts's preferred 5–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.41 g/kg, P 38.5 mg/kg, K 417 mg/kg against this crop's low/low/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Cashew Nuts, which favours sandy. Turkana receives approximately 300 mm/year — well below Cashew Nuts's minimum of 600 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cashew Nuts is the #38 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Turkana County. Cashew Nuts's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 247,500/acre at KES 275/kg), but at Turkana's 14/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 158 kg/acre (~KES 43,450/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Turkana's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Turkana soil | Cashew Nuts needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.95 | 5–7.5 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.41 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 38.5 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 417 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 300 mm | 600–1,500 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 400 m | 0–500 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Turkana
Long Rains· March–May
Short Rains· October–DecemberMain season here
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Turkana's nitrogen (0.41 g/kg) is 82% of the 0.5 g/kg Cashew Nuts needs, so the standard 0.3 bags/acre is raised to 0.5. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Turkana
Varieties suited to Turkana's 400 m altitude and 300 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 cashew nuts varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag