Growing Cowpeas in Narok

Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Narok is well suited to Cowpeas. Narok's soil (pH 6.13, slightly acidic) gives Cowpeas a suitability score of 85/100. Match fertilizer to Narok's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Narok County is well suited to Cowpeas, scoring 85/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.13 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Cowpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 mg/kg) all meet Cowpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cowpeas prefers sandy soils, while Narok is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cowpeas is the #63 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Narok 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.

85Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNarok soilCowpeas needsStatus
pH6.1358OK
Nitrogen1.63 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.7 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium234 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall800 mm250–700 mmHigh
Altitude1,700 m0–1,800 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Cowpeas fix atmospheric Nitrogen. No top dressing needed.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

KVU 27-1Dryland
KALRO · 60-70 days · 4-6 bags/acre
Dual purpose (grain and fodder); drought tolerant.
M66Dryland/Medium
KALRO · 55-65 days · 5-8 bags/acre
Early maturing; resistant to aphids and pod borers.

Economics

Market priceKES 65/kg
Expected yield 450 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 29,250/acre

Preferred textureSandy

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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