Growing Green Grams in Bungoma
Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Bungoma is poorly suited to Green Grams. Bungoma's soil (pH 5.56, slightly acidic) gives Green Grams a suitability score of 37/100. Match fertilizer to Bungoma's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bungoma County is a challenging environment for Green Grams (soil-match score 37/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.56 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8 band Green Grams prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.12 g/kg), phosphorus (15.7 mg/kg) and potassium (161 mg/kg) all meet Green Grams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Green Grams prefers sandy loam soils, while Bungoma is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Green Grams is the #98 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bungoma County. Green Grams's full potential is about 400 kg/acre (~KES 48,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Bungoma's 37/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 185 kg/acre (~KES 22,200/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Bungoma's soil: Macadamia, Avocado, and Pineapple — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bungoma soil | Green Grams needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.56 | 5.5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.12 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 15.7 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 161 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,400 mm | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Bungoma's nitrogen reads 1.12 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Green Grams is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Bungoma
Varieties suited to Bungoma's 1,500 m altitude and 1,400 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 green grams varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag