Growing Cowpeas in Bomet
Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Bomet is only marginally suited to Cowpeas. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Cowpeas a suitability score of 40/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bomet County is a challenging environment for Cowpeas (soil-match score 40/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Cowpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Cowpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cowpeas prefers sandy soils, while Bomet is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cowpeas is the #91 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bomet County. Cowpeas's full potential is about 450 kg/acre (~KES 29,250/acre at KES 65/kg), but at Bomet's 40/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 225 kg/acre (~KES 14,625/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 | Cowpeas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.02 | 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 | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 0–1,800 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Bomet's nitrogen reads 1.38 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Cowpeas is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Bomet
Varieties suited to Bomet's 1,900 m altitude and 1,500 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 cowpeas varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag