Growing Chickpeas in Samburu

Soil suitability analysis based on Samburu's nutrient profile

Samburu County is a challenging environment for Chickpeas (soil-match score 22/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.28 the soil sits above Chickpeas's preferred 5.5–8 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.67 g/kg), phosphorus (42.1 mg/kg) and potassium (387 mg/kg) all meet Chickpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Chickpeas, which favours sandy loam. At 900 m, the county sits below Chickpeas's preferred altitude range (1500–2600 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. 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.