Growing Lucerne in Turkana

Soil suitability analysis based on Turkana's nutrient profile

Turkana County is a challenging environment for Lucerne (soil-match score 43/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.95 — alkaline and inside the 6.5–8 band Lucerne 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/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Lucerne prefers clay loam soils, while Turkana is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 6,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lucerne crop here can gross roughly KES 182,000 per acre.