Growing Groundnuts in Kwale
Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile
Kwale County is well suited to Groundnuts, scoring 80/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 5–7 band Groundnuts prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.93 g/kg, P 9.8 mg/kg, K 131 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Groundnuts, which favours sandy. At current prices (about KES 90/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Groundnuts crop here can gross roughly KES 45,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kwale soil | Groundnuts needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.76 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.93 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 9.8 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 131 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 500–1,400 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Groundnuts fix their own Nitrogen. Apply gypsum at pegging for calcium.
Bags per Acre
0
Recommended seed varieties
ICGV-SM 99568Dryland/Medium
ICRISAT/KALRO · 90-100 days · 8-12 bags/acre
Rosette virus resistant; high oil content.
Red ValenciaDryland
Local/KALRO · 100-110 days · 6-10 bags/acre
Popular local market variety; good taste.
Economics
Market priceKES 90/kg
Expected yield 500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 45,000/acre
Preferred textureSandy
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