Growing Coconuts in Kilifi

Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Kilifi is well suited to Coconuts. Kilifi's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Coconuts a suitability score of 84/100. Match fertilizer to Kilifi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kilifi County is well suited to Coconuts, scoring 84/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.24 — 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 0.8 g/kg, P 11 mg/kg, K 109 mg/kg against this crop's low/low/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Coconuts, which favours sandy. At current prices (about KES 22/kg) and a typical 2,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Coconuts crop here can gross roughly KES 55,000 per acre.

84Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKilifi soilCoconuts needsStatus
pH6.245.58OK
Nitrogen0.8 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus11 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium109 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall700 mm650–2,000 mmOK
Altitude150 m0–400 mOK

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 2,500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 55,000/acre

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