Growing Chickpeas in Narok
Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Narok is moderately suited to Chickpeas. Narok's soil (pH 6.13, slightly acidic) gives Chickpeas a suitability score of 61/100. Match fertilizer to Narok's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Narok County is a solid choice for Chickpeas, with a soil-match score of 61/100. Local soils average pH 6.13 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8 band Chickpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 mg/kg) all meet Chickpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Chickpeas prefers sandy loam soils, while Narok is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Chickpeas is the #85 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Narok County. Chickpeas's full potential is about 600 kg/acre (~KES 120,000/acre at KES 200/kg), but at Narok's 61/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 458 kg/acre (~KES 91,600/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Narok soil | Chickpeas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.13 | 5.5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.63 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.7 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 234 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 800 mm | 150–500 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 1,500–2,600 m | OK |
Seed varieties for Narok
7 chickpeas varieties are rated for Narok's altitude (1,700 m) and rainfall (800 mm):
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag