Growing Coffee (Robusta) in Bomet

Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile

Bomet County is a challenging environment for Coffee (Robusta) (soil-match score 37/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–6.5 band Coffee (Robusta) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Coffee (Robusta)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Coffee (Robusta), which favours loam. At 1900 m, the county sits above Coffee (Robusta)'s preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Coffee (Robusta)'s full potential is about 950 kg/acre (~KES 76,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Bomet's 37/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 439 kg/acre (~KES 35,120/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.