Growing Macadamia in Uasin Gishu

Soil suitability analysis based on Uasin Gishu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Uasin Gishu is well suited to Macadamia. Uasin Gishu's soil (pH 6.39, slightly acidic) gives Macadamia a suitability score of 82/100. Match fertilizer to Uasin Gishu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Uasin Gishu County is well suited to Macadamia, scoring 82/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.39 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–6.5 band Macadamia prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.56 g/kg), phosphorus (25.3 mg/kg) and potassium (227 mg/kg) all meet Macadamia's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Macadamia, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Macadamia is the #54 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Uasin Gishu County. At current prices (about KES 110/kg) and a typical 1,800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Macadamia crop here can gross roughly KES 198,000 per acre.

82Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorUasin Gishu soilMacadamia needsStatus
pH6.394.56.5OK
Nitrogen1.56 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.3 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium227 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,100 mm700–1,500 mmOK
Altitude2,100 m900–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar for Uasin Gishu

Long Rains· AprilJuneMain season here

April
Fertilizer (NPK) & Weed Control
May
Flower & Nut-set Monitoring
June
Stink Bug Scouting & Pruning

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Nut Development & Top Dressing
November
Pest Control (nut borer)
December
Harvest Mature Nut Fall

Dry Season· FebruaryApril

February
Harvest & Dehusking
March
Irrigation & Mulching
April
Formative & Sanitation Pruning

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Start of rains (biannual)
Instruction
Apply in ring around drip line. Young trees need less.
Bags per acre in Uasin Gishu
0.5

Uasin Gishu's nitrogen (1.56 g/kg) already meets Macadamia's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Seed varieties for Uasin Gishu

Varieties suited to Uasin Gishu's 2,100 m altitude and 1,100 mm annual rainfall — 3 of 3 macadamia varieties we list.

KRG 15Medium/Highland
KALRO · 1000-1500 days · 2.7–4.5 tons/acre
High nut recovery; suited to central highlands.
Embu 1Medium/Highland
KALRO · 1000-1500 days · 2.3–4.0 tons/acre
Good kernel quality; moderate yield.
EMB-3Medium/Highland
KALRO-Thika · 1400-1550 days · 3.1–5.0 tons/acre
High first-grade nut ratio; good kernel recovery; KEPHIS certified; suited to Central Kenya highlands.

Economics

Market priceKES 110/kg
Expected yield 1,800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 198,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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