Growing Green Grams in Turkana

Soil suitability analysis based on Turkana's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Turkana is moderately suited to Green Grams. Turkana's soil (pH 7.95, alkaline) gives Green Grams a suitability score of 66/100. Match fertilizer to Turkana's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Turkana County is a solid choice for Green Grams, with a soil-match score of 66/100. Local soils average pH 7.95 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–8 band Green Grams prefers, so no lime is usually required. 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/low/low demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Green Grams, which favours sandy loam. Green Grams's full potential is about 400 kg/acre (~KES 48,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Turkana's 66/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 330 kg/acre (~KES 39,600/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

66Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTurkana soilGreen Grams needsStatus
pH7.955.58OK
Nitrogen0.41 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgLow
Phosphorus38.5 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium417 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall300 mm250–700 mmOK
Altitude400 m0–1,800 mOK

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 Turkana330 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 39,600/acre
Adjusted for Turkana's 66/100 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