Growing Garden Peas in Mandera

Soil suitability analysis based on Mandera's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Mandera is poorly suited to Garden Peas. Mandera's soil (pH 8.38, alkaline) gives Garden Peas a suitability score of 0/100. Match fertilizer to Mandera's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Mandera County is a challenging environment for Garden Peas (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.38 the soil sits above Garden Peas's preferred 5.5–7 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 Garden Peas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Garden Peas, which favours sandy loam. Mandera receives approximately 180 mm/year — well below Garden Peas's minimum of 800 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Garden Peas is the #95 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mandera County. Garden Peas's full potential is about 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 362,500/acre at KES 145/kg), but at Mandera's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/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.

0Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMandera soilGarden Peas needsStatus
pH8.385.57Adjust
Nitrogen0.53 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus38.3 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium420 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall180 mm800–2,100 mmLow
Altitude250 m1,500–2,600 mLow

Recommended seed varieties

Njabini (PI Moto super)Highland 1500-2600m
Simlaw Seeds · 60-90 days · 8-9 bags/acre
Dual purpose (fresh & dry); drought tolerant; requires vertical trailing.
GreenwichHighland 1600-2600m
Agventure Limited / RAGT · 90-120 days · 5-19 bags/acre
Large green grain; dual purpose; good soakability & rapid cookability.
KWS KariokaHighland 1600-2600m
Agventure Limited / KWS · 90-120 days · 5-17 bags/acre
Medium green grain; dual purpose; good color retention.
Blue MoonHighland 1200-2400m
Maribo DK · 120 days · 13-18 bags/acre
Good lodging resistance; strong straw; French-bred (2016).

Economics

Market priceKES 145/kg
Expected yield in Mandera0 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 0/acre
Adjusted for Mandera's 0/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Garden Peas can reach 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 362,500/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag