Growing Lucerne in Kwale
Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile
Yes — Kwale is well suited to Lucerne. Kwale's soil (pH 6.76, near-neutral) gives Lucerne a suitability score of 78/100. Match fertilizer to Kwale's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kwale County is well suited to Lucerne, scoring 78/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 6.5–8 band Lucerne 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/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Lucerne prefers clay loam soils, while Kwale is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lucerne crop here can gross roughly KES 224,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kwale soil | Lucerne needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.76 | 6.5–8 | 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 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 400–800 mm | High |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–2,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag