Growing French Beans in Trans Nzoia
Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile
Trans Nzoia County is well suited to French Beans, scoring 90/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.93 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–7 band French Beans prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet French Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit French Beans, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 3,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed French Beans crop here can gross roughly KES 240,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Trans Nzoia soil | French Beans needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.93 | 5.8–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.68 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 27.3 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 213 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Sowing & DAP Basal Fertilizer (at planting)
Month 2
Weeding & Pest Scouting (bean fly)
Month 3
Pod Fill & Harvesting starts
Short Rains
Month 1
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Weeding & Bean Fly Control
Month 3
Harvesting & Grading for export
Dry Season
Month 1
Harvesting remaining pods & Land Preparation
Month 2
Soil pH testing & lime if needed
Month 3
Seed multiplication & storage
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2-3 after emergence
Instruction
Apply CAN when seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, then a second light dose at flowering for pod fill
Bags per Acre
1
Recommended seed varieties
JuliaMedium/Highland
Seminis · 50-60 days · 2500–3250 kg/acre
Fine bean (extra-fine) for EU export; uniform straight pods; resistant to rust and anthracnose.
SamanthaMedium/Highland
Syngenta · 55-65 days · 2750–3500 kg/acre
Fine bean; long dark-green pods; tolerant to halo blight; leading export variety.
AmyMedium/Highland
Pop Vriend Seeds · 50-60 days · 2500–3250 kg/acre
Extra-fine bean; high yielding; good shelf life for air-freight to Europe.
SerengetiMedium/Highland
Syngenta · 55-65 days · 2750–3600 kg/acre
Bobby/whole-bean type; vigorous; rust and BCMV tolerant.
TeresaMedium/Highland
Seminis · 50-60 days · 2400–3100 kg/acre
Fine bean; smooth pods; suited to prepared and processed export.
Economics
Market priceKES 80/kg
Expected yield3,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 240,000/acre
Preferred textureLoam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag