Growing Beans in Busia
Soil suitability analysis based on Busia's nutrient profile
Busia County is a solid choice for Beans, with a soil-match score of 74/100. At an average pH of 5.29 the soil is moderately acidic, below Beans's preferred 6–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (0.91 g/kg), phosphorus (16.6 mg/kg) and potassium (175 mg/kg) all meet Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Beans, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 130/kg) and a typical 800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Beans crop here can gross roughly KES 104,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Busia soil | Beans needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.29 | 6–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.91 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 16.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 175 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,400 mm | 500–1,600 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,200 m | 0–2,500 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer (DAP)
Month 2
1st Weeding & Thinning
Month 3
Flowering Stage & Pest Control
Short Rains
Month 1
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
1st Weeding & Thinning
Month 3
Flowering Stage
Dry Season
Month 1
Post-Harvest Storage
Month 2
Land Resting
Month 3
Seed Selection
Top dressing guide
Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Beans fix their own Nitrogen. Do NOT apply CAN — it will reduce yield.
Bags per Acre
0
Recommended seed varieties
KAT B1Dryland/Medium
KALRO · 60-65 days · 8-10 bags/acre
Yellow bean; highly tolerant to drought and heat.
KAT X56Dryland
KALRO · 65-70 days · 10-12 bags/acre
Red mottled; resistant to bean common mosaic virus.
ChelalangMedium/Highland
KALRO · 75-80 days · 12-15 bags/acre
High yield; resistant to root rot and angular leaf spot.
NyotaDryland/Medium
KALRO · 65-70 days · 10-13 bags/acre
Navy bean type; iron-rich; KEPHIS certified; popular in export markets.
KAT B9Medium/Highland
KALRO · 70-75 days · 12-14 bags/acre
Bush bean; resistant to anthracnose and angular leaf spot; good grain quality.
KAT X69Dryland
KALRO · 60-65 days · 8-11 bags/acre
Small red bean; heat tolerant; suited to semi-arid lowland conditions.
Kenya Mali (KAT SW-12)Medium
KALRO · 70-75 days · 11-13 bags/acre
Speckled sugar bean; high market value; widely traded in Nairobi market chains.
Economics
Market priceKES 130/kg
Expected yield in Busia740 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 96,200/acre
Adjusted for Busia's 74/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Beans can reach 800 kg/acre (~KES 104,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.
Preferred textureLoam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
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