Growing Coffee (Robusta) in Vihiga

Soil suitability analysis based on Vihiga's nutrient profile

Coffee (Robusta) can be grown in Vihiga County, but the soil scores 52/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.62 — slightly acidic to near-neutral 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 1.02 g/kg, P 14.8 mg/kg, K 164 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Coffee (Robusta), which favours loam. 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. 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.