Growing Coffee (Robusta) in Mombasa

Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile

Mombasa County is a challenging environment for Coffee (Robusta) (soil-match score 35/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — 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, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.95 g/kg, P 8.4 mg/kg, K 136 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Coffee (Robusta) prefers loam soils, while Mombasa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Mombasa receives approximately 1000 mm/year — well below Coffee (Robusta)'s minimum of 1500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 950 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Coffee (Robusta) crop here can gross roughly KES 76,000 per acre.