Growing Wambugu Apples in Vihiga

Soil suitability analysis based on Vihiga's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Vihiga is well suited to Wambugu Apples. Vihiga's soil (pH 5.62, slightly acidic) gives Wambugu Apples a suitability score of 89/100. Match fertilizer to Vihiga's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Vihiga County is well suited to Wambugu Apples, scoring 89/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.62 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.02 g/kg, P 14.8 mg/kg, K 164 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Wambugu Apples, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 75/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Wambugu Apples crop here can gross roughly KES 300,000 per acre.

89Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorVihiga soilWambugu Apples needsStatus
pH5.6257OK
Nitrogen1.02 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus14.8 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium164 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,800 mm1,000–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m1,500–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Biannual
Instruction
Apply at start of long and short rains. Young trees need half the rate of mature trees.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

WambuguMedium/Highland
KALRO · 730-1000 days · 2.7–4.5 tons/acre
Kenya-adapted apple; does not require chilling; good local market.

Economics

Market priceKES 75/kg
Expected yield 4,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 300,000/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