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 13/100) 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. Coffee (Robusta)'s full potential is about 950 kg/acre (~KES 76,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Narok's 13/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 154 kg/acre (~KES 12,320/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.