Growing Cowpeas in Meru
Soil suitability analysis based on Meru's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Meru is poorly suited to Cowpeas. Meru's soil (pH 4.88, strongly acidic) gives Cowpeas a suitability score of 33/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Meru County is a challenging environment for Cowpeas (soil-match score 33/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 4.88 the soil is strongly acidic, below Cowpeas's preferred 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 Cowpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cowpeas prefers sandy soils, while Meru is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cowpeas is the #96 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Meru County. Cowpeas's full potential is about 450 kg/acre (~KES 29,250/acre at KES 65/kg), but at Meru's 33/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 186 kg/acre (~KES 12,090/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Meru's soil: Tea, Avocado, and Macadamia — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Meru soil | Cowpeas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 4.88 | 5–8 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.22 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 20.3 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 218 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,400 mm | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag