Growing Green Grams in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Green Grams can be grown in Trans Nzoia County, but the soil scores 51/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.93 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8 band Green Grams prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Green Grams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Green Grams, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 120/kg) and a typical 300 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Green Grams crop here can gross roughly KES 36,000 per acre.

51Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientTrans Nzoia soilGreen Grams needsStatus
pH5.935.58OK
Nitrogen1.68 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus27.3 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium213 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Green grams fix their own nitrogen. No top dressing is needed.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

N26Dryland/Medium
KALRO · 60-65 days · 3-5 bags/acre
Early maturing; tolerant to drought; popular in eastern Kenya.
KS 20Medium
KALRO · 65-75 days · 4-6 bags/acre
High yielding; good seed quality; resistant to yellow mosaic virus.

Economics

Market priceKES 120/kg
Expected yield300 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 36,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

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