Growing French Beans in Laikipia

Soil suitability analysis based on Laikipia's nutrient profile

Laikipia County is a challenging environment for French Beans (soil-match score 30/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 4.99 the soil is strongly acidic, below French Beans's preferred 5.8–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is phosphorus — measured at N 1.42 g/kg, P 16.6 mg/kg, K 215 mg/kg against this crop's low/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit French Beans, which favours loam. Laikipia receives approximately 600 mm/year — well below French Beans's minimum of 900 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, French Beans is the #91 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Laikipia County. French Beans's full potential is about 3,500 kg/acre (~KES 280,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Laikipia's 30/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,313 kg/acre (~KES 105,040/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Laikipia's soil: Sweet Potato, Finger Millet, and Groundnuts — each scores higher on the same soil.