Growing Chickpeas in Nyamira
Soil suitability analysis based on Nyamira's nutrient profile
Nyamira County is a challenging environment for Chickpeas (soil-match score 38/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.58 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8 band Chickpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.84 g/kg), phosphorus (11.6 mg/kg) and potassium (148 mg/kg) all meet Chickpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Chickpeas, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 200/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Chickpeas crop here can gross roughly KES 100,000 per acre.
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Nyamira soil | Chickpeas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.58 | 5.5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.84 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 11.6 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 148 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag