Growing Cowpeas in Mombasa
Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Mombasa is moderately suited to Cowpeas. Mombasa's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Cowpeas a suitability score of 72/100. Match fertilizer to Mombasa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Mombasa County is a solid choice for Cowpeas, with a soil-match score of 72/100. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Cowpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.95 g/kg), phosphorus (8.4 mg/kg) and potassium (136 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 #48 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mombasa County. At current prices (about KES 65/kg) and a typical 450 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cowpeas crop here can gross roughly KES 29,250 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Mombasa soil | Cowpeas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.24 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.95 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 8.4 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 136 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,000 mm | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 50 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Mombasa's nitrogen reads 0.95 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Cowpeas is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Mombasa's 50 m altitude and 1,000 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag