Growing Coffee (Robusta) in Murang'a

Soil suitability analysis based on Murang'a's nutrient profile

Murang'a County is a challenging environment for Coffee (Robusta) (soil-match score 39/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.03 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–6.5 band Coffee (Robusta) 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 168 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Coffee (Robusta) prefers loam soils, while Murang'a is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. 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. 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.