Growing Coffee (Robusta) in Meru

Soil suitability analysis based on Meru's nutrient profile

Coffee (Robusta) can be grown in Meru County, but the soil scores 45/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 4.88 the soil is strongly acidic, below Coffee (Robusta)'s preferred 5–6.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.22 g/kg), phosphorus (20.3 mg/kg) and potassium (218 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 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 Meru's 45/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 534 kg/acre (~KES 42,720/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.