Growing Lucerne in Kwale
Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile
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. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Lucerne, which favours clay loam. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 6,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lucerne crop here can gross roughly KES 182,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | 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 |
Top dressing guide
Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Lucerne fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Apply gypsum and foliar boron after cuts.
Bags per Acre
0
Recommended seed varieties
CUF 101Highland
Local · 60-90 days · 80-120 tons/acre
High protein fodder; perennial; suited to irrigated highland production.
SA KarooMedium/Highland
Local · 60-90 days · 70-100 tons/acre
Drought tolerant; persistent stand; good protein content.
Economics
Market priceKES 28/kg
Expected yield6,500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 182,000/acre
Preferred textureClay Loam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag