Growing Beans in Vihiga
Soil suitability analysis based on Vihiga's nutrient profile
Yes — Vihiga is well suited to Beans. Vihiga's soil (pH 5.62, slightly acidic) gives Beans a suitability score of 76/100. Match fertilizer to Vihiga's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Vihiga County is well suited to Beans, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.62 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Beans's preferred 6–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.02 g/kg), phosphorus (14.8 mg/kg) and potassium (164 mg/kg) all meet Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Beans, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Beans is the #23 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Vihiga County. At current prices (about KES 130/kg) and a typical 800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Beans crop here can gross roughly KES 104,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Vihiga soil | Beans needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.62 | 6–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.02 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 14.8 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 164 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,800 mm | 500–1,600 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–2,500 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Vihiga
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· August–October
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Vihiga's nitrogen reads 1.02 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Beans is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Vihiga
Varieties suited to Vihiga's 1,700 m altitude and 1,800 mm annual rainfall — 5 of 7 beans varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag