Growing French Beans in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Makueni County is a challenging environment for French Beans (soil-match score 33/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.5 the soil sits above French Beans's preferred 5.8–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.86 g/kg), phosphorus (29.6 mg/kg) and potassium (351 mg/kg) all meet French Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit French Beans, which favours loam. Makueni receives approximately 600 mm/year — well below French Beans's minimum of 900 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 3,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed French Beans crop here can gross roughly KES 240,000 per acre.