Growing French Beans in Mombasa

Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile

Mombasa County is a challenging environment for French Beans (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–7 band French Beans prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.95 g/kg, P 8.4 mg/kg, K 136 mg/kg against this crop's low/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. French Beans prefers loam soils, while Mombasa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 50 m, the county sits below French Beans's preferred altitude range (1000–2100 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 3,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed French Beans crop here can gross roughly KES 240,000 per acre.

0Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientMombasa soilFrench Beans needsStatus
pH6.245.87OK
Nitrogen0.95 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus8.4 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium136 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Sowing & DAP Basal Fertilizer (at planting)
Month 2
Weeding & Pest Scouting (bean fly)
Month 3
Pod Fill & Harvesting starts

Short Rains

Month 1
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Weeding & Bean Fly Control
Month 3
Harvesting & Grading for export

Dry Season

Month 1
Harvesting remaining pods & Land Preparation
Month 2
Soil pH testing & lime if needed
Month 3
Seed multiplication & storage

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2-3 after emergence
Instruction
Apply CAN when seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, then a second light dose at flowering for pod fill
Bags per Acre
1

Recommended seed varieties

JuliaMedium/Highland
Seminis · 50-60 days · 2500–3250 kg/acre
Fine bean (extra-fine) for EU export; uniform straight pods; resistant to rust and anthracnose.
SamanthaMedium/Highland
Syngenta · 55-65 days · 2750–3500 kg/acre
Fine bean; long dark-green pods; tolerant to halo blight; leading export variety.
AmyMedium/Highland
Pop Vriend Seeds · 50-60 days · 2500–3250 kg/acre
Extra-fine bean; high yielding; good shelf life for air-freight to Europe.
SerengetiMedium/Highland
Syngenta · 55-65 days · 2750–3600 kg/acre
Bobby/whole-bean type; vigorous; rust and BCMV tolerant.
TeresaMedium/Highland
Seminis · 50-60 days · 2400–3100 kg/acre
Fine bean; smooth pods; suited to prepared and processed export.

Economics

Market priceKES 80/kg
Expected yield3,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 240,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag