Growing Mango in Vihiga

Soil suitability analysis based on Vihiga's nutrient profile

Vihiga County is a challenging environment for Mango (soil-match score 26/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.62 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8.5 band Mango prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.02 g/kg), phosphorus (14.8 mg/kg) and potassium (164 mg/kg) all meet Mango's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Mango 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 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 Vihiga'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.