Growing Coconuts in Bungoma

Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Bungoma is poorly suited to Coconuts. Bungoma's soil (pH 5.56, slightly acidic) gives Coconuts a suitability score of 5/100. Match fertilizer to Bungoma's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Bungoma County is a challenging environment for Coconuts (soil-match score 5/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.56 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8 band Coconuts prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.12 g/kg, P 15.7 mg/kg, K 161 mg/kg against this crop's low/low/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Coconuts prefers sandy soils, while Bungoma is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 1500 m, the county sits above Coconuts's preferred altitude ceiling of 400 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Coconuts's full potential is about 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 55,000/acre at KES 22/kg), but at Bungoma's 5/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 156 kg/acre (~KES 3,432/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

5Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBungoma soilCoconuts needsStatus
pH5.565.58OK
Nitrogen1.12 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus15.7 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium161 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,400 mm650–2,000 mmOK
Altitude1,500 m0–400 mHigh

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Biannual start of rains
Instruction
Apply in a ring 1m from the base. Coconuts are heavy potassium feeders — supplement with muriate of potash.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

East African TallCoastal
KALRO · 1500-2000 days · 7.2–10.8 tons/acre
Traditional variety; high nut yield; excellent adaptation to Kenya coast.
Malayan DwarfCoastal
KALRO · 1200-1800 days · 8.1–11.7 tons/acre
Early bearing dwarf; good for small farms; high copra content.

Economics

Market priceKES 22/kg
Expected yield in Bungoma156 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 3,432/acre
Adjusted for Bungoma's 5/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Coconuts can reach 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 55,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy

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