ShambaIQ

Growing Dolichos in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Trans Nzoia is well suited to Dolichos. Trans Nzoia's soil (pH 5.93, slightly acidic) gives Dolichos a suitability score of 83/100. Match fertilizer to Trans Nzoia's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Trans Nzoia County is well suited to Dolichos, scoring 83/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.93 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7.5 band Dolichos prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Dolichos's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Dolichos prefers sandy loam soils, while Trans Nzoia is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Dolichos is the #44 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Trans Nzoia County. At current prices (about KES 120/kg) and a typical 600 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Dolichos crop here can gross roughly KES 72,000 per acre.

83Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTrans Nzoia soilDolichos needsStatus
pH5.935–7.5OK
Nitrogen1.68 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus27.3 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium213 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm400–1,000 mmHigh
Altitude1,900 m1,000–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar for Trans Nzoia

Long Rains· March–MayMain season here

March
Sowing & DAP Basal Fertilizer (NO CAN — nitrogen fixer)
April
Weeding & Vine Support if needed
May
Pod Fill & Harvesting

Short Rains· August–October

August
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer (no CAN)
September
Weeding & Pest Scouting
October
Harvesting & Seed Drying

Dry Season· January–March

January
Post-Harvest seed storage
February
Land Resting (N benefit remains in soil)
March
Seed Selection & preparation

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Dolichos (njahi) fixes its own nitrogen through rhizobia. Do NOT apply CAN — it suppresses nodulation and reduces yield. A starter dose of phosphorus at planting is enough.
Bags per acre in Trans Nzoia
0

Trans Nzoia's nitrogen reads 1.68 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Dolichos is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.

Seed varieties for Trans Nzoia

Varieties suited to Trans Nzoia's 1,900 m altitude and 1,200 mm annual rainfall — 6 of 6 dolichos varieties we list.

Njahi BlackMedium/Highland
KALRO · 90-120 days · 8-12 bags/acre
Black hyacinth bean (njahi); popular in Central Kenya; high protein; nitrogen-fixing soil improver.
DL 1002Dryland/Medium
KALRO · 90-110 days · 7-11 bags/acre
Improved dual-purpose lablab; grain and fodder; tolerant to drought and low fertility.
Eldoret BrownMedium
KALRO · 100-130 days · 8-13 bags/acre
Brown-seeded selection; vigorous; good for intercropping with maize.
ELDO-KT Black 1Medium/Highland 10-2000m
University of Eldoret · 135-150 days · 14-22 bags/acre
Black seeded; short cooking time; uniform maturity.
ELDO-KT CreamMedium/Highland 10-2000m
University of Eldoret · 120-135 days · 16-25 bags/acre
Cream seeded; early maturity; good flavor; short cooking time.
ELDO-KT Black 2Medium/Highland 10-2000m
University of Eldoret · 120-135 days · 16-29 bags/acre
Black seeded; medium maturity; robust growth.

Economics

Market priceKES 120/kg
Expected yield 600 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 72,000/acre
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

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