Growing Pigeon Peas in Samburu
Soil suitability analysis based on Samburu's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Samburu is only marginally suited to Pigeon Peas. Samburu's soil (pH 8.28, alkaline) gives Pigeon Peas a suitability score of 44/100. Match fertilizer to Samburu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Samburu County is a challenging environment for Pigeon Peas (soil-match score 44/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.28 the soil sits above Pigeon Peas's preferred 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 Pigeon Peas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Pigeon Peas, which favours sandy. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pigeon Peas is the #16 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Samburu County. Pigeon Peas's full potential is about 600 kg/acre (~KES 45,000/acre at KES 75/kg), but at Samburu's 44/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 330 kg/acre (~KES 24,750/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 | Pigeon Peas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 8.28 | 5–8 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.67 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 42.1 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 387 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 350 mm | 400–900 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: Pigeon Peas 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 pigeon peas varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag