Growing Garden Peas in Baringo

Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Baringo is poorly suited to Garden Peas. Baringo's soil (pH 6.22, slightly acidic) gives Garden Peas a suitability score of 26/100. Match fertilizer to Baringo's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Baringo County is a challenging environment for Garden Peas (soil-match score 26/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.22 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Garden Peas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet Garden Peas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Garden Peas prefers sandy loam soils, while Baringo is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 900 m, the county sits below Garden Peas's preferred altitude range (1500–2600 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Garden Peas is the #93 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Baringo County. Garden Peas's full potential is about 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 362,500/acre at KES 145/kg), but at Baringo's 26/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 813 kg/acre (~KES 117,885/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Baringo's soil: Sesame (Simsim), Finger Millet, and Groundnuts — each scores higher on the same soil.

26Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBaringo soilGarden Peas needsStatus
pH6.225.57OK
Nitrogen1.32 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.4 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium212 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall700 mm800–2,100 mmLow
Altitude900 m1,500–2,600 mLow

Recommended seed varieties

Njabini (PI Moto super)Highland 1500-2600m
Simlaw Seeds · 60-90 days · 8-9 bags/acre
Dual purpose (fresh & dry); drought tolerant; requires vertical trailing.
GreenwichHighland 1600-2600m
Agventure Limited / RAGT · 90-120 days · 5-19 bags/acre
Large green grain; dual purpose; good soakability & rapid cookability.
KWS KariokaHighland 1600-2600m
Agventure Limited / KWS · 90-120 days · 5-17 bags/acre
Medium green grain; dual purpose; good color retention.
Blue MoonHighland 1200-2400m
Maribo DK · 120 days · 13-18 bags/acre
Good lodging resistance; strong straw; French-bred (2016).

Economics

Market priceKES 145/kg
Expected yield in Baringo813 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 117,885/acre
Adjusted for Baringo's 26/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Garden Peas can reach 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 362,500/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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