Growing Coconuts in Lamu

Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Lamu is moderately suited to Coconuts. Lamu's soil (pH 6.31, slightly acidic) gives Coconuts a suitability score of 73/100. Match fertilizer to Lamu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Lamu County is a solid choice for Coconuts, with a soil-match score of 73/100. Local soils average pH 6.31 — 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 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's low/low/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy 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.

73Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorLamu soilCoconuts needsStatus
pH6.315.58OK
Nitrogen0.74 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus9.6 mg/kgmin 6 mg/kgOK
Potassium117 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall600 mm650–2,000 mmLow
Altitude10 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 in Lamu2,281 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 50,182/acre
Adjusted for Lamu's 73/100 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