Growing Green Grams in West Pokot

Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — West Pokot is moderately suited to Green Grams. West Pokot's soil (pH 6.04, slightly acidic) gives Green Grams a suitability score of 67/100. Match fertilizer to West Pokot's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

West Pokot County is a solid choice for Green Grams, with a soil-match score of 67/100. Local soils average pH 6.04 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8 band Green Grams prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Green Grams's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Green Grams, which favours sandy loam. Green Grams's full potential is about 400 kg/acre (~KES 48,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at West Pokot's 67/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 335 kg/acre (~KES 40,200/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

67Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorWest Pokot soilGreen Grams needsStatus
pH6.045.58OK
Nitrogen1.67 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus24.8 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium211 mg/kgmin 100 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,000 mm250–700 mmHigh
Altitude1,500 m0–1,800 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Green Grams fix atmospheric Nitrogen. No top dressing needed. Inoculate seed with Rhizobium before planting.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

N26Dryland/Medium
KALRO · 60-65 days · 3-5 bags/acre
Early maturing; tolerant to drought; popular in eastern Kenya.
KS 20Medium
KALRO · 65-75 days · 4-6 bags/acre
High yielding; good seed quality; resistant to yellow mosaic virus.

Economics

Market priceKES 120/kg
Expected yield in West Pokot335 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 40,200/acre
Adjusted for West Pokot's 67/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Green Grams can reach 400 kg/acre (~KES 48,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag