Growing Cowpeas in Uasin Gishu

Soil suitability analysis based on Uasin Gishu's nutrient profile

Cowpeas can be grown in Uasin Gishu County, but the soil scores 49/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.39 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Cowpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.56 g/kg), phosphorus (25.3 mg/kg) and potassium (227 mg/kg) all meet Cowpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cowpeas prefers sandy soils, while Uasin Gishu is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Cowpeas's full potential is about 450 kg/acre (~KES 29,250/acre at KES 65/kg), but at Uasin Gishu's 49/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 276 kg/acre (~KES 17,940/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.