Growing Mango in Uasin Gishu

Soil suitability analysis based on Uasin Gishu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Uasin Gishu is poorly suited to Mango. Uasin Gishu's soil (pH 6.39, slightly acidic) gives Mango a suitability score of 29/100. Match fertilizer to Uasin Gishu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Uasin Gishu County is a challenging environment for Mango (soil-match score 29/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.39 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Mango prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.56 g/kg), phosphorus (25.3 mg/kg) and potassium (227 mg/kg) all meet Mango's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Mango prefers sandy soils, while Uasin Gishu is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 2100 m, the county sits above Mango's preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Mango's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 80,000/acre at KES 10/kg), but at Uasin Gishu's 29/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 2,900 kg/acre (~KES 29,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

29Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorUasin Gishu soilMango needsStatus
pH6.395.58.5OK
Nitrogen1.56 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.3 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium227 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,100 mm500–1,200 mmOK
Altitude2,100 m0–1,200 mHigh

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Before flowering (once annually)
Instruction
Apply 2–3 months before expected flowering. Excess N delays fruiting.
Bags per Acre
0.3

Recommended seed varieties

Apple MangoCoastal/Dryland
KALRO/HCDA · 1000-1200 days · 3.6–5.4 tons/acre
Most popular domestic variety; sweet and juicy.
Tommy AtkinsCoastal/Dryland
KALRO/HCDA · 1000-1200 days · 4.5–7.2 tons/acre
Export quality; good shelf life; disease tolerant.

Economics

Market priceKES 10/kg
Expected yield in Uasin Gishu2,900 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 29,000/acre
Adjusted for Uasin Gishu's 29/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Mango can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 80,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy

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