Growing Coffee (Arabica) in Siaya
Soil suitability analysis based on Siaya's nutrient profile
Yes — Siaya is well suited to Coffee (Arabica). Siaya's soil (pH 5.33, strongly acidic) gives Coffee (Arabica) a suitability score of 75/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Siaya County is well suited to Coffee (Arabica), scoring 75/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.33 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–6 band Coffee (Arabica) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.2 g/kg, P 12.1 mg/kg, K 134 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Coffee (Arabica), which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Coffee (Arabica) is the #19 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Siaya County. At current prices (about KES 120/kg) and a typical 800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Coffee (Arabica) crop here can gross roughly KES 96,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Siaya soil | Coffee (Arabica) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.33 | 5–6 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.2 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 134 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 1,000–2,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,200 m | 1,300–2,200 m | Low |
Planting calendar for Siaya
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· September–November
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Siaya's nitrogen (1.2 g/kg) already meets Coffee (Arabica)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Siaya
Varieties suited to Siaya's 1,200 m altitude and 1,200 mm annual rainfall — 5 of 5 coffee (arabica) varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag