Growing Cowpeas in Migori
Soil suitability analysis based on Migori's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Migori is poorly suited to Cowpeas. Migori's soil (pH 5.43, strongly acidic) gives Cowpeas a suitability score of 39/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Migori County is a challenging environment for Cowpeas (soil-match score 39/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.43 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–8 band Cowpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.2 g/kg), phosphorus (12.2 mg/kg) and potassium (169 mg/kg) all meet Cowpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cowpeas prefers sandy soils, while Migori is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cowpeas is the #91 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Migori County. Cowpeas's full potential is about 450 kg/acre (~KES 29,250/acre at KES 65/kg), but at Migori's 39/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 219 kg/acre (~KES 14,235/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Migori's soil: Cassava, Macadamia, and Pineapple — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Migori soil | Cowpeas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.43 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.2 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.2 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 169 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,400 mm | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,300 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Migori's nitrogen reads 1.2 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Cowpeas is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Migori
Varieties suited to Migori's 1,300 m altitude and 1,400 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 cowpeas varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag