ShambaIQ

Growing Coffee (Arabica) in Narok

Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Narok is moderately suited to Coffee (Arabica). Narok's soil (pH 6.13, slightly acidic) gives Coffee (Arabica) a suitability score of 55/100. Match fertilizer to Narok's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Coffee (Arabica) can be grown in Narok County, but the soil scores 55/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 6.13 the soil sits above Coffee (Arabica)'s preferred 5–6 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 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 #91 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Narok County. Coffee (Arabica)'s full potential is about 800 kg/acre (~KES 96,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Narok's 55/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 550 kg/acre (~KES 66,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Narok's soil: Finger Millet, Groundnuts, and Soybeans — each scores higher on the same soil.

55Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNarok soilCoffee (Arabica) needsStatus
pH6.135–6Adjust
Nitrogen1.63 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium234 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall800 mm1,000–2,000 mmLow
Altitude1,700 m1,300–2,200 mOK

Planting calendar for Narok

Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here

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

Short Rains· October–December

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

Dry Season· February–April

February
Main Pruning & Soil Conservation
March
Rest & Recovery
April
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 Narok
1

Narok's nitrogen (1.63 g/kg) already meets Coffee (Arabica)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Seed varieties for Narok

Varieties suited to Narok's 1,700 m altitude and 800 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 in Narok550 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 66,000/acre
Adjusted for Narok's 55/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Coffee (Arabica) can reach 800 kg/acre (~KES 96,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.
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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