Growing Lucerne in Baringo
Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile
Yes — Baringo is well suited to Lucerne. Baringo's soil (pH 6.22, slightly acidic) gives Lucerne a suitability score of 78/100. Match fertilizer to Baringo's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Baringo County is well suited to Lucerne, scoring 78/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 6.22 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Lucerne's preferred 6.5–8 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet Lucerne's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Lucerne, which favours clay loam. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lucerne crop here can gross roughly KES 224,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Baringo soil | Lucerne needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.22 | 6.5–8 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.32 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.4 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 212 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 700 mm | 400–800 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 900 m | 0–2,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag