Growing Chickpeas in Meru

Soil suitability analysis based on Meru's nutrient profile

Meru County is a challenging environment for Chickpeas (soil-match score 31/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 4.88 the soil is strongly acidic, below Chickpeas's preferred 5.5–8 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.22 g/kg), phosphorus (20.3 mg/kg) and potassium (218 mg/kg) all meet Chickpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Chickpeas, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 200/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Chickpeas crop here can gross roughly KES 100,000 per acre.