Growing Pigeon Peas in Elgeyo Marakwet

Soil suitability analysis based on Elgeyo Marakwet's nutrient profile

Elgeyo Marakwet County is well suited to Pigeon Peas, scoring 88/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.27 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Pigeon Peas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.39 g/kg), phosphorus (22.2 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Pigeon Peas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Pigeon Peas prefers sandy soils, while Elgeyo Marakwet is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 75/kg) and a typical 600 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pigeon Peas crop here can gross roughly KES 45,000 per acre.