Growing Beans in Mandera

Soil suitability analysis based on Mandera's nutrient profile

Mandera County is a challenging environment for Beans (soil-match score 7/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.38 the soil sits above Beans's preferred 6–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.53 g/kg), phosphorus (38.3 mg/kg) and potassium (420 mg/kg) all meet Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Beans prefers loam soils, while Mandera is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Mandera receives approximately 180 mm/year — well below Beans's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Beans is the #18 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mandera County. Beans's full potential is about 800 kg/acre (~KES 104,000/acre at KES 130/kg), but at Mandera's 7/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 70 kg/acre (~KES 9,100/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Mandera's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.