Growing Coffee (Arabica) in West Pokot
Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile
Yes — West Pokot is well suited to Coffee (Arabica). West Pokot's soil (pH 6.04, slightly acidic) gives Coffee (Arabica) a suitability score of 88/100. Match fertilizer to West Pokot's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
West Pokot County is well suited to Coffee (Arabica), scoring 88/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 6.04 the soil sits above Coffee (Arabica)'s preferred 5–6 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Coffee (Arabica)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Coffee (Arabica), which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Coffee (Arabica) is the #45 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for West Pokot 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 | West Pokot soil | Coffee (Arabica) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.04 | 5–6 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.67 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 24.8 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 211 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,000 mm | 1,000–2,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 1,300–2,200 m | OK |
Planting calendar for West Pokot
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
West Pokot's nitrogen (1.67 g/kg) already meets Coffee (Arabica)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for West Pokot
5 coffee (arabica) varieties are rated for West Pokot's altitude (1,500 m) and rainfall (1,000 mm):
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag