Growing Pigeon Peas in Taita Taveta

Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile

Taita Taveta County is well suited to Pigeon Peas, scoring 92/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 5–8 band Pigeon Peas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.97 g/kg), phosphorus (12.9 mg/kg) and potassium (104 mg/kg) all meet Pigeon Peas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Pigeon Peas prefers sandy soils, while Taita Taveta is largely loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 75/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pigeon Peas crop here can gross roughly KES 37,500 per acre.