Growing Garden Peas in Tana River

Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Tana River is poorly suited to Garden Peas. Tana River's soil (pH 6.4, slightly acidic) gives Garden Peas a suitability score of 0/100. Match fertilizer to Tana River's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Tana River County is a challenging environment for Garden Peas (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Garden Peas prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 1.04 g/kg, P 8.5 mg/kg, K 108 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Garden Peas, which favours sandy loam. Tana River receives approximately 400 mm/year — well below Garden Peas's minimum of 800 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Garden Peas is the #104 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Tana River County. Garden Peas's full potential is about 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 362,500/acre at KES 145/kg), but at Tana River's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Tana River's soil: Sorghum, Cowpeas, and Pigeon Peas — each scores higher on the same soil.

0Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTana River soilGarden Peas needsStatus
pH6.45.57OK
Nitrogen1.04 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus8.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium108 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall400 mm800–2,100 mmLow
Altitude200 m1,500–2,600 mLow

Recommended seed varieties

Njabini (PI Moto super)Highland 1500-2600m
Simlaw Seeds · 60-90 days · 8-9 bags/acre
Dual purpose (fresh & dry); drought tolerant; requires vertical trailing.
GreenwichHighland 1600-2600m
Agventure Limited / RAGT · 90-120 days · 5-19 bags/acre
Large green grain; dual purpose; good soakability & rapid cookability.
KWS KariokaHighland 1600-2600m
Agventure Limited / KWS · 90-120 days · 5-17 bags/acre
Medium green grain; dual purpose; good color retention.
Blue MoonHighland 1200-2400m
Maribo DK · 120 days · 13-18 bags/acre
Good lodging resistance; strong straw; French-bred (2016).

Economics

Market priceKES 145/kg
Expected yield in Tana River0 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 0/acre
Adjusted for Tana River's 0/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Garden Peas can reach 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 362,500/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag