Growing Green Grams in Garissa

Soil suitability analysis based on Garissa's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Garissa is moderately suited to Green Grams. Garissa's soil (pH 7.96, alkaline) gives Green Grams a suitability score of 72/100. Match fertilizer to Garissa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Garissa County is a solid choice for Green Grams, with a soil-match score of 72/100. Local soils average pH 7.96 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–8 band Green Grams prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.61 g/kg), phosphorus (37.7 mg/kg) and potassium (407 mg/kg) all meet Green Grams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Green Grams, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 120/kg) and a typical 400 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Green Grams crop here can gross roughly KES 48,000 per acre.

72Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorGarissa soilGreen Grams needsStatus
pH7.965.58OK
Nitrogen0.61 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus37.7 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium407 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall250 mm250–700 mmOK
Altitude200 m0–1,800 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Green Grams fix atmospheric Nitrogen. No top dressing needed. Inoculate seed with Rhizobium before planting.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

N26Dryland/Medium
KALRO · 60-65 days · 3-5 bags/acre
Early maturing; tolerant to drought; popular in eastern Kenya.
KS 20Medium
KALRO · 65-75 days · 4-6 bags/acre
High yielding; good seed quality; resistant to yellow mosaic virus.

Economics

Market priceKES 120/kg
Expected yield in Garissa360 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 43,200/acre
Adjusted for Garissa's 72/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Green Grams can reach 400 kg/acre (~KES 48,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy Loam

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