Growing Coffee (Arabica) in Migori

Soil suitability analysis based on Migori's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Migori is well suited to Coffee (Arabica). Migori's soil (pH 5.43, strongly acidic) gives Coffee (Arabica) a suitability score of 90/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Migori County is well suited to Coffee (Arabica), scoring 90/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.43 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–6 band Coffee (Arabica) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.2 g/kg, P 12.2 mg/kg, K 169 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Coffee (Arabica), which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Coffee (Arabica) is the #5 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Migori County. At current prices (about KES 120/kg) and a typical 800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Coffee (Arabica) crop here can gross roughly KES 96,000 per acre.

90Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMigori soilCoffee (Arabica) needsStatus
pH5.435–6OK
Nitrogen1.2 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.2 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium169 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,400 mm1,000–2,000 mmOK
Altitude1,300 m1,300–2,200 mOK

Planting calendar for Migori

Long Rains· March–MayMain season here

March
Fertilizer Application & Weed Control
April
Fruit Development Monitoring
May
Light Pruning & Pest Management

Short Rains· September–November

September
Cherry Ripening & Selective Harvesting
October
Post-Harvest Fertilizer Application
November
Pruning & Stumping if needed

Dry Season· January–March

January
Main Pruning & Soil Conservation
February
Rest & Recovery
March
Pre-Season Fertilizer & Soil pH Check

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Split 3 times per year
Instruction
Apply after harvest, at flowering, and during berry expansion.
Bags per acre in Migori
1

Migori's nitrogen (1.2 g/kg) already meets Coffee (Arabica)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Seed varieties for Migori

5 coffee (arabica) varieties are rated for Migori's altitude (1,300 m) and rainfall (1,400 mm):

Ruiru 11· Medium/HighlandBatian· Medium/HighlandSL 28· Medium/HighlandSL 34· Medium/HighlandK7· Medium/Highland
Full variety details — maturity, yield & breeder →

Economics

Market priceKES 120/kg
Expected yield 800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 96,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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