Growing Macadamia in Vihiga
Soil suitability analysis based on Vihiga's nutrient profile
Vihiga County is well suited to Macadamia, scoring 83/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.62 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–6.5 band Macadamia prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.02 g/kg), phosphorus (14.8 mg/kg) and potassium (164 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. 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.
Suitability score
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Vihiga soil | Macadamia needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.62 | 4.5–6.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.02 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 14.8 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 164 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,800 mm | 700–1,500 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 900–2,100 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Start of rains (biannual)
Instruction
Apply in ring around drip line. Young trees need less.
Bags per Acre
0.5
Recommended seed varieties
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(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