Growing Pigeon Peas in Garissa
Soil suitability analysis based on Garissa's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Garissa is poorly suited to Pigeon Peas. Garissa's soil (pH 7.96, alkaline) gives Pigeon Peas a suitability score of 26/100. Match fertilizer to Garissa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Garissa County is a challenging environment for Pigeon Peas (soil-match score 26/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.96 — alkaline and inside the 5–8 band Pigeon Peas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.61 g/kg), phosphorus (37.7 mg/kg) and potassium (407 mg/kg) all meet Pigeon Peas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Pigeon Peas, which favours sandy. Garissa receives approximately 250 mm/year — well below Pigeon Peas's minimum of 400 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pigeon Peas is the #13 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Garissa County. Pigeon Peas's full potential is about 600 kg/acre (~KES 45,000/acre at KES 75/kg), but at Garissa's 26/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 195 kg/acre (~KES 14,625/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Garissa's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Garissa soil | Pigeon Peas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.96 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.61 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 37.7 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 407 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 250 mm | 400–900 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag