Growing Green Grams in Isiolo

Soil suitability analysis based on Isiolo's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Isiolo is moderately suited to Green Grams. Isiolo's soil (pH 7.83, alkaline) gives Green Grams a suitability score of 72/100. Match fertilizer to Isiolo's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Isiolo County is a solid choice for Green Grams, with a soil-match score of 72/100. Local soils average pH 7.83 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–8 band Green Grams prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.46 g/kg, P 37.4 mg/kg, K 395 mg/kg against this crop's low/low/low demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. 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

FactorIsiolo soilGreen Grams needsStatus
pH7.835.58OK
Nitrogen0.46 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgLow
Phosphorus37.4 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium395 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall350 mm250–700 mmOK
Altitude900 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 Isiolo360 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 43,200/acre
Adjusted for Isiolo'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