Growing Cowpeas in Uasin Gishu
Soil suitability analysis based on Uasin Gishu's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Uasin Gishu is only marginally suited to Cowpeas. Uasin Gishu's soil (pH 6.39, slightly acidic) gives Cowpeas a suitability score of 49/100. Match fertilizer to Uasin Gishu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
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. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cowpeas is the #83 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Uasin Gishu County. 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.
Better matched to Uasin Gishu's soil: Beans, Snow Peas, and Napier Grass — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Uasin Gishu soil | Cowpeas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.39 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.56 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.3 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 227 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,100 mm | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 2,100 m | 0–1,800 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Uasin Gishu's nitrogen reads 1.56 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Cowpeas is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Uasin Gishu's 2,100 m altitude and 1,100 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag