Growing Coffee (Robusta) in Nyandarua

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyandarua's nutrient profile

Nyandarua County is a challenging environment for Coffee (Robusta) (soil-match score 13/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.38 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–6.5 band Coffee (Robusta) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.28 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Coffee (Robusta) prefers loam soils, while Nyandarua is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Nyandarua receives approximately 1100 mm/year — well below Coffee (Robusta)'s minimum of 1500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Coffee (Robusta) is the #104 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyandarua County. Coffee (Robusta)'s full potential is about 950 kg/acre (~KES 76,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Nyandarua's 13/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 154 kg/acre (~KES 12,320/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Nyandarua's soil: Tea, Pyrethrum, and Potato — each scores higher on the same soil.