Growing Lucerne in Lamu
Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Lamu is moderately suited to Lucerne. Lamu's soil (pH 6.31, slightly acidic) gives Lucerne a suitability score of 73/100. Match fertilizer to Lamu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Lamu County is a solid choice for Lucerne, with a soil-match score of 73/100. At an average pH of 6.31 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Lucerne's preferred 6.5–8 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 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 Lamu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Lucerne is the #44 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Lamu County. 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 | Lamu soil | Lucerne needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.31 | 6.5–8 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.74 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 9.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 117 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 600 mm | 400–800 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 10 m | 0–2,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Lamu's nitrogen reads 0.74 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Lucerne is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Recommended seed varieties
All 2 listed lucerne varieties shown — none are specifically rated for Lamu's conditions. Confirm with your agrovet.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag