Growing French Beans in Kitui

Soil suitability analysis based on Kitui's nutrient profile

Kitui County is a challenging environment for French Beans (soil-match score 21/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.03 the soil sits above French Beans's preferred 5.8–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.74 g/kg), phosphorus (30.5 mg/kg) and potassium (339 mg/kg) all meet French Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit French Beans, which favours loam. Kitui receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below French Beans's minimum of 900 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 3,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed French Beans crop here can gross roughly KES 240,000 per acre.