Growing Cowpeas in Marsabit
Soil suitability analysis based on Marsabit's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Marsabit is moderately suited to Cowpeas. Marsabit's soil (pH 8.22, alkaline) gives Cowpeas a suitability score of 60/100. Match fertilizer to Marsabit's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Marsabit County is a solid choice for Cowpeas, with a soil-match score of 60/100. At an average pH of 8.22 the soil sits above Cowpeas's preferred 5–8 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.52 g/kg), phosphorus (37.3 mg/kg) and potassium (420 mg/kg) all meet Cowpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Cowpeas, which favours sandy. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cowpeas is the #6 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Marsabit County. Cowpeas's full potential is about 450 kg/acre (~KES 29,250/acre at KES 65/kg), but at Marsabit's 60/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 338 kg/acre (~KES 21,970/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Marsabit soil | Cowpeas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 8.22 | 5–8 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.52 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 37.3 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 420 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 300 mm | 250–700 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,100 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag