Growing Chickpeas in Bomet
Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Bomet is only marginally suited to Chickpeas. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Chickpeas a suitability score of 43/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bomet County is a challenging environment for Chickpeas (soil-match score 43/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8 band Chickpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Chickpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Chickpeas prefers sandy loam soils, while Bomet is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Chickpeas is the #87 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bomet County. Chickpeas's full potential is about 600 kg/acre (~KES 120,000/acre at KES 200/kg), but at Bomet's 43/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 323 kg/acre (~KES 64,600/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Bomet's soil: Wambugu Apples, Kale (Sukuma Wiki), and Garden Peas — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bomet soil | Chickpeas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.02 | 5.5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.38 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.6 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 237 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 150–500 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 1,500–2,600 m | OK |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag