Growing Coffee (Arabica) in Bomet
Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile
Bomet County is well suited to Coffee (Arabica), scoring 88/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 6.02 the soil sits above Coffee (Arabica)'s preferred 5–6 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Coffee (Arabica)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Coffee (Arabica), which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 120/kg) and a typical 800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Coffee (Arabica) crop here can gross roughly KES 96,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Bomet soil | Coffee (Arabica) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.02 | 5–6 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.38 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 237 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Fertilizer Application & Weed Control
Month 2
Fruit Development Monitoring
Month 3
Light Pruning & Pest Management
Short Rains
Month 1
Cherry Ripening & Selective Harvesting
Month 2
Post-Harvest Fertilizer Application
Month 3
Pruning & Stumping if needed
Dry Season
Month 1
Main Pruning & Soil Conservation
Month 2
Rest & Recovery
Month 3
Pre-Season Fertilizer & Soil pH Check
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Split 3 times per year
Instruction
Apply after harvest, at flowering, and during berry expansion.
Bags per Acre
1
Recommended seed varieties
Ruiru 11Medium/Highland
Coffee Research Institute · 730-1000 days · 750–1250 kg/acre
Compact; resistant to CBD and leaf rust.
BatianMedium/Highland
Coffee Research Institute · 730-1000 days · 1000–1500 kg/acre
Tall variety; excellent cup quality; disease resistant.
SL 28Medium/Highland
Coffee Research Foundation · 730-1000 days · 900–1400 kg/acre
Classic Kenyan cultivar (1935); large bean; excellent cup quality; drought tolerant; suited to 1300-1800m; susceptible to leaf rust.
SL 34Medium/Highland
Coffee Research Foundation · 730-1000 days · 1000–1500 kg/acre
Classic Kenyan cultivar (1930s); bold bean; excellent cup quality; suited to high rainfall zones 1300-1800m; susceptible to leaf rust.
K7Medium/Highland
Coffee Research Foundation · 730-1000 days · 750–1100 kg/acre
Released 1936; partial leaf rust resistance; good cup quality; suited to medium altitude 1300-1600m.
Economics
Market priceKES 120/kg
Expected yield800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 96,000/acre
Preferred textureLoam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag