Growing French Beans in Samburu

Soil suitability analysis based on Samburu's nutrient profile

Samburu County is a challenging environment for French Beans (soil-match score 7/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.28 the soil sits above French Beans's preferred 5.8–7 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 French Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. French Beans prefers loam soils, while Samburu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Samburu receives approximately 350 mm/year — well below French Beans's minimum of 900 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, French Beans is the #81 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Samburu County. French Beans's full potential is about 3,500 kg/acre (~KES 280,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Samburu's 7/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 306 kg/acre (~KES 24,480/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Samburu's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.