Growing Coffee (Arabica) in Nairobi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile

Coffee (Arabica) can be grown in Nairobi County, but the soil scores 56/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 6.85 the soil sits above Coffee (Arabica)'s preferred 5–6 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 1.1 g/kg, P 22.1 mg/kg, K 236 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 #89 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nairobi County. Coffee (Arabica)'s full potential is about 800 kg/acre (~KES 96,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Nairobi's 56/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 560 kg/acre (~KES 67,200/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Nairobi's soil: Dhania, Pumpkin, and Rosemary — each scores higher on the same soil.