Growing Beans in Turkana

Soil suitability analysis based on Turkana's nutrient profile

Turkana County is a challenging environment for Beans (soil-match score 22/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.95 the soil sits above Beans's preferred 6–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.41 g/kg, P 38.5 mg/kg, K 417 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/low demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Beans prefers loam soils, while Turkana is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Turkana receives approximately 300 mm/year — well below Beans's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Beans is the #18 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Turkana County. Beans's full potential is about 800 kg/acre (~KES 104,000/acre at KES 130/kg), but at Turkana's 22/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 220 kg/acre (~KES 28,600/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Turkana's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.