Growing Green Grams in Mombasa

Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Mombasa is moderately suited to Green Grams. Mombasa's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Green Grams a suitability score of 70/100. Match fertilizer to Mombasa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Mombasa County is a solid choice for Green Grams, with a soil-match score of 70/100. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8 band Green Grams prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.95 g/kg), phosphorus (8.4 mg/kg) and potassium (136 mg/kg) all meet Green Grams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Green Grams, which favours sandy loam. Green Grams's full potential is about 400 kg/acre (~KES 48,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Mombasa's 70/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 350 kg/acre (~KES 42,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

70Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMombasa soilGreen Grams needsStatus
pH6.245.58OK
Nitrogen0.95 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus8.4 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium136 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,000 mm250–700 mmHigh
Altitude50 m0–1,800 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Green Grams fix atmospheric Nitrogen. No top dressing needed. Inoculate seed with Rhizobium before planting.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

N26Dryland/Medium
KALRO · 60-65 days · 3-5 bags/acre
Early maturing; tolerant to drought; popular in eastern Kenya.
KS 20Medium
KALRO · 65-75 days · 4-6 bags/acre
High yielding; good seed quality; resistant to yellow mosaic virus.

Economics

Market priceKES 120/kg
Expected yield in Mombasa350 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 42,000/acre
Adjusted for Mombasa's 70/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Green Grams can reach 400 kg/acre (~KES 48,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag