Growing Beans in Nyeri

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyeri's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Nyeri is moderately suited to Beans. Nyeri's soil (pH 5.23, strongly acidic) gives Beans a suitability score of 73/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Nyeri County is a solid choice for Beans, with a soil-match score of 73/100. At an average pH of 5.23 the soil is moderately acidic, below Beans's preferred 6–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.09 g/kg), phosphorus (15.5 mg/kg) and potassium (192 mg/kg) all meet Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Beans prefers loam soils, while Nyeri is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Beans is the #23 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyeri County. At current prices (about KES 130/kg) and a typical 800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Beans crop here can gross roughly KES 104,000 per acre.

73Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNyeri soilBeans needsStatus
pH5.236–7Adjust
Nitrogen1.09 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus15.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium192 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm500–1,600 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m0–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar for Nyeri

Long Rains· March–MayMain season here

March
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer (DAP)
April
1st Weeding & Thinning
May
Flowering Stage & Pest Control

Short Rains· October–December

October
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
November
1st Weeding & Thinning
December
Flowering Stage

Dry Season· January–March

January
Post-Harvest Storage
February
Land Resting
March
Seed Selection

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Beans fix their own Nitrogen. Do NOT apply CAN — it will reduce yield.
Bags per acre in Nyeri
0

Nyeri's nitrogen reads 1.09 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Beans is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.

Seed varieties for Nyeri

5 beans varieties are rated for Nyeri's altitude (1,700 m) and rainfall (1,200 mm):

KAT B1· Dryland/MediumChelalang· Medium/HighlandNyota· Dryland/MediumKAT B9· Medium/HighlandKenya Mali (KAT SW-12)· Medium
Full variety details — maturity, yield & breeder →

Economics

Market priceKES 130/kg
Expected yield in Nyeri730 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 94,900/acre
Adjusted for Nyeri's 73/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Beans can reach 800 kg/acre (~KES 104,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

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