Growing Green Grams in Mandera
Soil suitability analysis based on Mandera's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Mandera is poorly suited to Green Grams. Mandera's soil (pH 8.38, alkaline) gives Green Grams a suitability score of 30/100. Match fertilizer to Mandera's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Mandera County is a challenging environment for Green Grams (soil-match score 30/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.38 the soil sits above Green Grams's preferred 5.5–8 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 Green Grams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Green Grams, which favours sandy loam. Mandera receives approximately 180 mm/year — well below Green Grams's minimum of 250 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Green Grams is the #3 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mandera County. Green Grams's full potential is about 400 kg/acre (~KES 48,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Mandera's 30/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 150 kg/acre (~KES 18,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Mandera's soil: Sisal, and Aloe Vera — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Mandera soil | Green Grams needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 8.38 | 5.5–8 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.53 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 38.3 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 420 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 180 mm | 250–700 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 250 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Mandera's nitrogen reads 0.53 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Green Grams is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Mandera
Varieties suited to Mandera's 250 m altitude and 180 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 green grams varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag