Growing Lentils in Turkana

Soil suitability analysis based on Turkana's nutrient profile

Turkana County is a challenging environment for Lentils (soil-match score 5/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.95 the soil sits above Lentils's preferred 5.5–7.5 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. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Lentils, which favours sandy loam. At 400 m, the county sits below Lentils's preferred altitude range (1200–2400 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 180/kg) and a typical 600 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lentils crop here can gross roughly KES 108,000 per acre.