Growing Dolichos in Nyamira
Soil suitability analysis based on Nyamira's nutrient profile
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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nyamira soil | Dolichos needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.58 | 5–7.5 | 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 |
| Rainfall | 1,600 mm | 400–1,000 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 1,000–2,100 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Nyamira
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· August–October
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Nyamira's nitrogen reads 0.84 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Dolichos is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Nyamira
Varieties suited to Nyamira's 1,700 m altitude and 1,600 mm annual rainfall — 6 of 6 dolichos varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag