Growing Lentils in Kwale

Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile

Kwale County is a challenging environment for Lentils (soil-match score 2/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Lentils prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus — measured at N 0.93 g/kg, P 9.8 mg/kg, K 131 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/low demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Lentils, which favours sandy loam. At 200 m, the county sits below Lentils's preferred altitude range (1200–2400 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 180/kg) and a typical 600 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lentils crop here can gross roughly KES 108,000 per acre.