Growing Green Grams in Homa Bay
Soil suitability analysis based on Homa Bay's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Homa Bay is only marginally suited to Green Grams. Homa Bay's soil (pH 5.27, strongly acidic) gives Green Grams a suitability score of 49/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Green Grams can be grown in Homa Bay County, but the soil scores 49/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.27 the soil is moderately acidic, below Green Grams's preferred 5.5–8 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.05 g/kg), phosphorus (13.8 mg/kg) and potassium (147 mg/kg) all meet Green Grams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Green Grams 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, Green Grams is the #87 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Homa Bay County. Green Grams's full potential is about 400 kg/acre (~KES 48,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Homa Bay's 49/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 245 kg/acre (~KES 29,400/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Homa Bay's soil: Macadamia, Avocado, and Pineapple — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Homa Bay soil | Green Grams needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.27 | 5.5–8 | Adjust |
| 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 | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,200 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Homa Bay's nitrogen reads 1.05 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Green Grams is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Homa Bay
Varieties suited to Homa Bay's 1,200 m altitude and 1,100 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 green grams varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag