Growing Cowpeas in Nakuru
Soil suitability analysis based on Nakuru's nutrient profile
Yes — Nakuru is well suited to Cowpeas. Nakuru's soil (pH 6.28, slightly acidic) gives Cowpeas a suitability score of 80/100. Match fertilizer to Nakuru's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Nakuru County is well suited to Cowpeas, scoring 80/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.28 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Cowpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.59 g/kg), phosphorus (25.2 mg/kg) and potassium (239 mg/kg) all meet Cowpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cowpeas prefers sandy soils, while Nakuru is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cowpeas is the #71 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nakuru 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 | Nakuru soil | Cowpeas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.28 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.59 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.2 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 239 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,750 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag