Growing Pigeon Peas in Turkana
Soil suitability analysis based on Turkana's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Turkana is poorly suited to Pigeon Peas. Turkana's soil (pH 7.95, alkaline) gives Pigeon Peas a suitability score of 34/100. Match fertilizer to Turkana's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Turkana County is a challenging environment for Pigeon Peas (soil-match score 34/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.95 — alkaline and inside the 5–8 band Pigeon Peas 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 Pigeon Peas, which favours sandy. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pigeon Peas is the #13 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Turkana County. Pigeon Peas's full potential is about 600 kg/acre (~KES 45,000/acre at KES 75/kg), but at Turkana's 34/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 255 kg/acre (~KES 19,125/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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Turkana soil | Pigeon Peas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.95 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.41 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 38.5 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 417 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 300 mm | 400–900 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 400 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag