Growing Groundnuts in Samburu
Soil suitability analysis based on Samburu's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Samburu is poorly suited to Groundnuts. Samburu's soil (pH 8.28, alkaline) gives Groundnuts a suitability score of 26/100. Match fertilizer to Samburu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Samburu County is a challenging environment for Groundnuts (soil-match score 26/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.28 the soil sits above Groundnuts's preferred 5–7 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 Groundnuts's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Groundnuts, which favours sandy. Samburu receives approximately 350 mm/year — well below Groundnuts's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Groundnuts is the #32 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Samburu County. Groundnuts's full potential is about 500 kg/acre (~KES 45,000/acre at KES 90/kg), but at Samburu's 26/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 163 kg/acre (~KES 14,670/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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Samburu soil | Groundnuts needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 8.28 | 5–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.67 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 42.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 387 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 350 mm | 500–1,400 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 900 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Samburu's nitrogen reads 0.67 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Groundnuts is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Samburu
Varieties suited to Samburu's 900 m altitude and 350 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 groundnuts varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag