Growing Coffee (Robusta) in Nyeri

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyeri's nutrient profile

Nyeri County is a challenging environment for Coffee (Robusta) (soil-match score 27/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.23 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–6.5 band Coffee (Robusta) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 1.09 g/kg, P 15.5 mg/kg, K 192 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Coffee (Robusta) prefers loam soils, while Nyeri is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 1700 m, the county sits above Coffee (Robusta)'s preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Coffee (Robusta)'s full potential is about 950 kg/acre (~KES 76,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Nyeri's 27/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 321 kg/acre (~KES 25,680/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.