Growing Lentils in Narok

Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Narok is well suited to Lentils. Narok's soil (pH 6.13, slightly acidic) gives Lentils a suitability score of 91/100. Match fertilizer to Narok's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Narok County is well suited to Lentils, scoring 91/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.13 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Lentils prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 mg/kg) all meet Lentils's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Lentils 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, Lentils is the #34 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Narok County. At current prices (about KES 180/kg) and a typical 600 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lentils crop here can gross roughly KES 108,000 per acre.

91Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNarok soilLentils needsStatus
pH6.135.57.5OK
Nitrogen1.63 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium234 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall800 mm350–800 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m1,200–2,400 mOK

Recommended seed varieties

Local BrownLowland/Medium 600-1500m
Local · 100-110 days · 4-6 bags/acre
Local landrace; very popular in household consumption; high protein.
Local GreenLowland/Medium 600-1500m
Local · 90-100 days · 5-7 bags/acre
Early maturing; good market demand.

Economics

Market priceKES 180/kg
Expected yield 600 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 108,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

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