Growing Cashew Nuts in Vihiga

Soil suitability analysis based on Vihiga's nutrient profile

Vihiga County is a challenging environment for Cashew Nuts (soil-match score 7/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.62 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7.5 band Cashew Nuts prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.02 g/kg), phosphorus (14.8 mg/kg) and potassium (164 mg/kg) all meet Cashew Nuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cashew Nuts prefers sandy soils, while Vihiga is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 1700 m, the county sits above Cashew Nuts's preferred altitude ceiling of 500 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Cashew Nuts's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 247,500/acre at KES 275/kg), but at Vihiga's 7/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 79 kg/acre (~KES 21,725/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.