Growing Dolichos in Nyamira

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyamira's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Nyamira is moderately suited to Dolichos. Nyamira's soil (pH 5.58, slightly acidic) gives Dolichos a suitability score of 60/100. Match fertilizer to Nyamira's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Nyamira County is a solid choice for Dolichos, with a soil-match score of 60/100. Local soils average pH 5.58 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7.5 band Dolichos prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.84 g/kg), phosphorus (11.6 mg/kg) and potassium (148 mg/kg) all meet Dolichos's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Dolichos prefers sandy loam soils, while Nyamira is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Dolichos is the #55 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyamira County. Dolichos's full potential is about 600 kg/acre (~KES 72,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Nyamira's 60/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 450 kg/acre (~KES 54,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

60Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNyamira soilDolichos needsStatus
pH5.5857.5OK
Nitrogen0.84 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus11.6 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium148 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,600 mm400–1,000 mmHigh
Altitude1,700 m1,000–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Sowing & DAP Basal Fertilizer (NO CAN — nitrogen fixer)
Month 2
Weeding & Vine Support if needed
Month 3
Pod Fill & Harvesting

Short Rains

Month 1
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer (no CAN)
Month 2
Weeding & Pest Scouting
Month 3
Harvesting & Seed Drying

Dry Season

Month 1
Post-Harvest seed storage
Month 2
Land Resting (N benefit remains in soil)
Month 3
Seed Selection & preparation

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Dolichos (njahi) fixes its own nitrogen through rhizobia. Do NOT apply CAN — it suppresses nodulation and reduces yield. A starter dose of phosphorus at planting is enough.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

Njahi BlackMedium/Highland
KALRO · 90-120 days · 8-12 bags/acre
Black hyacinth bean (njahi); popular in Central Kenya; high protein; nitrogen-fixing soil improver.
DL 1002Dryland/Medium
KALRO · 90-110 days · 7-11 bags/acre
Improved dual-purpose lablab; grain and fodder; tolerant to drought and low fertility.
Eldoret BrownMedium
KALRO · 100-130 days · 8-13 bags/acre
Brown-seeded selection; vigorous; good for intercropping with maize.
ELDO-KT Black 1Medium/Highland 10-2000m
University of Eldoret · 135-150 days · 14-22 bags/acre
Black seeded; short cooking time; uniform maturity.
ELDO-KT CreamMedium/Highland 10-2000m
University of Eldoret · 120-135 days · 16-25 bags/acre
Cream seeded; early maturity; good flavor; short cooking time.
ELDO-KT Black 2Medium/Highland 10-2000m
University of Eldoret · 120-135 days · 16-29 bags/acre
Black seeded; medium maturity; robust growth.

Economics

Market priceKES 120/kg
Expected yield in Nyamira450 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 54,000/acre
Adjusted for Nyamira's 60/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Dolichos can reach 600 kg/acre (~KES 72,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

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