Growing Dolichos in Homa Bay
Soil suitability analysis based on Homa Bay's nutrient profile
Yes — Homa Bay is well suited to Dolichos. Homa Bay's soil (pH 5.27, strongly acidic) gives Dolichos a suitability score of 75/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Homa Bay County is well suited to Dolichos, scoring 75/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.27 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7.5 band Dolichos prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.05 g/kg), phosphorus (13.8 mg/kg) and potassium (147 mg/kg) all meet Dolichos's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Dolichos prefers sandy loam soils, while Homa Bay is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Dolichos is the #16 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Homa Bay County. At current prices (about KES 120/kg) and a typical 600 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Dolichos crop here can gross roughly KES 72,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Homa Bay soil | Dolichos needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.27 | 5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.05 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 13.8 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 147 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,100 mm | 400–1,000 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,200 m | 1,000–2,100 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Homa Bay
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· September–November
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Homa Bay's nitrogen reads 1.05 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Dolichos is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Homa Bay
6 dolichos varieties are rated for Homa Bay's altitude (1,200 m) and rainfall (1,100 mm):
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag