Growing Mango in Turkana

Soil suitability analysis based on Turkana's nutrient profile

Turkana County is a challenging environment for Mango (soil-match score 26/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.95 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Mango prefers, so no lime is usually required. 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 Mango, which favours sandy. Turkana receives approximately 300 mm/year — well below Mango's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Mango's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 80,000/acre at KES 10/kg), but at Turkana's 26/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 2,600 kg/acre (~KES 26,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.