Growing Coffee (Robusta) in Narok

Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile

Narok County is a challenging environment for Coffee (Robusta) (soil-match score 15/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.13 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–6.5 band Coffee (Robusta) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 mg/kg) all meet Coffee (Robusta)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Coffee (Robusta), which favours loam. Narok receives approximately 800 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.

15Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientNarok soilCoffee (Robusta) needsStatus
pH6.1356.5OK
Nitrogen1.63 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium234 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Fertilizer Application & Weed Control
Month 2
Fruit Development Monitoring
Month 3
Light Pruning & Pest Management

Short Rains

Month 1
Cherry Ripening & Selective Harvesting
Month 2
Post-Harvest Fertilizer Application
Month 3
Pruning & Stumping if needed

Dry Season

Month 1
Main Pruning & Soil Conservation
Month 2
Rest & Recovery
Month 3
Pre-Season Fertilizer & Soil pH Check

Recommended seed varieties

R7Medium/Highland
Coffee Research Institute/KALRO · 730-1000 days · 12-18 kg/acre
High yielding; suited to western Kenya conditions; disease tolerant.
R2Medium
Coffee Research Institute/KALRO · 730-1000 days · 10-15 kg/acre
Early bearing; good cup quality for local and export markets.

Economics

Market priceKES 80/kg
Expected yield950 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 76,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag