Growing Coffee (Robusta) in Kakamega

Soil suitability analysis based on Kakamega's nutrient profile

Coffee (Robusta) can be grown in Kakamega County, but the soil scores 56/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.63 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–6.5 band Coffee (Robusta) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 147 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Coffee (Robusta), which favours loam. At 1500 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 Kakamega's 56/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 665 kg/acre (~KES 53,200/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.