ShambaIQ

Growing Coffee (Arabica) in Nandi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nandi's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Nandi is well suited to Coffee (Arabica). Nandi's soil (pH 6.17, slightly acidic) gives Coffee (Arabica) a suitability score of 85/100. Match fertilizer to Nandi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Nandi County is well suited to Coffee (Arabica), scoring 85/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 6.17 the soil sits above Coffee (Arabica)'s preferred 5–6 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (1.37 g/kg), phosphorus (26.4 mg/kg) and potassium (207 mg/kg) all meet Coffee (Arabica)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Coffee (Arabica), which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Coffee (Arabica) is the #34 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nandi 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.

85Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNandi soilCoffee (Arabica) needsStatus
pH6.175–6Adjust
Nitrogen1.37 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus26.4 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium207 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,400 mm1,000–2,000 mmOK
Altitude1,900 m1,300–2,200 mOK

Planting calendar for Nandi

Long Rains· March–MayMain season here

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

Short Rains· August–October

August
Cherry Ripening & Selective Harvesting
September
Post-Harvest Fertilizer Application
October
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 Nandi
1

Nandi's nitrogen (1.37 g/kg) already meets Coffee (Arabica)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Seed varieties for Nandi

Varieties suited to Nandi's 1,900 m altitude and 1,400 mm annual rainfall — 5 of 5 coffee (arabica) varieties we list.

Ruiru 11Medium/Highland
Coffee Research Institute · 730-1000 days · 750–1250 kg/acre
Compact; resistant to CBD and leaf rust.
BatianMedium/Highland
Coffee Research Institute · 730-1000 days · 1000–1500 kg/acre
Tall variety; excellent cup quality; disease resistant.
SL 28Medium/Highland
Coffee Research Foundation · 730-1000 days · 900–1400 kg/acre
Classic Kenyan cultivar (1935); large bean; excellent cup quality; drought tolerant; suited to 1300-1800m; susceptible to leaf rust.
SL 34Medium/Highland
Coffee Research Foundation · 730-1000 days · 1000–1500 kg/acre
Classic Kenyan cultivar (1930s); bold bean; excellent cup quality; suited to high rainfall zones 1300-1800m; susceptible to leaf rust.
K7Medium/Highland
Coffee Research Foundation · 730-1000 days · 750–1100 kg/acre
Released 1936; partial leaf rust resistance; good cup quality; suited to medium altitude 1300-1600m.

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

Related

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