Growing Pigeon Peas in Nyeri
Soil suitability analysis based on Nyeri's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Nyeri is moderately suited to Pigeon Peas. Nyeri's soil (pH 5.23, strongly acidic) gives Pigeon Peas a suitability score of 61/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Nyeri County is a solid choice for Pigeon Peas, with a soil-match score of 61/100. Local soils average pH 5.23 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–8 band Pigeon Peas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.09 g/kg), phosphorus (15.5 mg/kg) and potassium (192 mg/kg) all meet Pigeon Peas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Pigeon Peas prefers sandy soils, while Nyeri is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pigeon Peas is the #59 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyeri County. Pigeon Peas's full potential is about 600 kg/acre (~KES 45,000/acre at KES 75/kg), but at Nyeri's 61/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 458 kg/acre (~KES 34,350/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nyeri soil | Pigeon Peas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.23 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.09 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 15.5 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 192 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 400–900 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Nyeri's nitrogen reads 1.09 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Pigeon Peas is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Nyeri
Varieties suited to Nyeri's 1,700 m altitude and 1,200 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 pigeon peas varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag