Growing Lucerne in Narok

Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Narok is well suited to Lucerne. Narok's soil (pH 6.13, slightly acidic) gives Lucerne a suitability score of 76/100. Match fertilizer to Narok's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Narok County is well suited to Lucerne, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 6.13 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Lucerne's preferred 6.5–8 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 mg/kg) all meet Lucerne's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Lucerne, which favours clay loam. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lucerne crop here can gross roughly KES 224,000 per acre.

76Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNarok soilLucerne needsStatus
pH6.136.58Adjust
Nitrogen1.63 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium234 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall800 mm400–800 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m0–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Lucerne is a legume and fixes its own Nitrogen. Apply phosphorus and potassium at establishment only.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

CUF 101Highland
Local · 60-90 days · 4–6 tons/acre
High protein fodder; perennial; suited to irrigated highland production.
SA KarooMedium/Highland
Local · 60-90 days · 3.5–5 tons/acre
Drought tolerant; persistent stand; good protein content.

Economics

Market priceKES 28/kg
Expected yield in Narok7,600 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 212,800/acre
Adjusted for Narok's 76/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Lucerne can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 224,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureClay 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