Growing Beans in Kisumu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile
Kisumu County is well suited to Beans, scoring 79/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.54 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Beans's preferred 6–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (0.91 g/kg), phosphorus (12.5 mg/kg) and potassium (166 mg/kg) all meet Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Beans prefers loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 130/kg) and a typical 800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Beans crop here can gross roughly KES 104,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisumu soil | Beans needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.54 | 6–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.91 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.5 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 166 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 500–1,600 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,150 m | 0–2,500 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag