Growing Chia in Lamu

Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile

Lamu County is a challenging environment for Chia (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–8 band Chia prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/low demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Chia, which favours sandy loam. At 10 m, the county sits below Chia's preferred altitude range (1000–2200 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. Chia's full potential is about 400 kg/acre (~KES 60,000/acre at KES 150/kg), but at Lamu's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.