Growing Lentils in Taita Taveta

Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile

Taita Taveta County is a challenging environment for Lentils (soil-match score 31/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Lentils prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.97 g/kg), phosphorus (12.9 mg/kg) and potassium (104 mg/kg) all meet Lentils's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly loam soils suit Lentils, which favours sandy loam. At 700 m, the county sits below Lentils's preferred altitude range (1200–2400 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 180/kg) and a typical 600 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lentils crop here can gross roughly KES 108,000 per acre.