Growing Cowpeas in Kisii
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisii's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Kisii is poorly suited to Cowpeas. Kisii's soil (pH 5.21, strongly acidic) gives Cowpeas a suitability score of 36/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Kisii County is a challenging environment for Cowpeas (soil-match score 36/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.21 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–8 band Cowpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.09 g/kg), phosphorus (13.1 mg/kg) and potassium (151 mg/kg) all meet Cowpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cowpeas prefers sandy soils, while Kisii is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cowpeas is the #90 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kisii County. Cowpeas's full potential is about 450 kg/acre (~KES 29,250/acre at KES 65/kg), but at Kisii's 36/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 203 kg/acre (~KES 13,195/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Kisii's soil: Tea, Macadamia, and Pineapple — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisii soil | Cowpeas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.21 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.09 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 13.1 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 151 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag