Growing Chickpeas in West Pokot

Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile

West Pokot County is a challenging environment for Chickpeas (soil-match score 43/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.04 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8 band Chickpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Chickpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Chickpeas, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 200/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Chickpeas crop here can gross roughly KES 100,000 per acre.