Growing Green Grams in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Possible but challenging — Trans Nzoia is only marginally suited to Green Grams. Trans Nzoia's soil (pH 5.93, slightly acidic) gives Green Grams a suitability score of 48/100. Match fertilizer to Trans Nzoia's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Green Grams can be grown in Trans Nzoia County, but the soil scores 48/100 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. Green Grams prefers sandy loam soils, while Trans Nzoia is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Green Grams's full potential is about 400 kg/acre (~KES 48,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Trans Nzoia's 48/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 240 kg/acre (~KES 28,800/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

48Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTrans 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
Rainfall1,200 mm250–700 mmHigh
Altitude1,900 m0–1,800 mHigh

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Green Grams fix atmospheric Nitrogen. No top dressing needed. Inoculate seed with Rhizobium before planting.
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 yield in Trans Nzoia240 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 28,800/acre
Adjusted for Trans Nzoia's 48/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Green Grams can reach 400 kg/acre (~KES 48,000/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(4,500)
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