Coffee Farming in Kenya [2022]

coffee-farming-in-kenya


How Farmers Tripled Coffee Productivity:  Coffee Farming in Kenya

Coffee Farming in Kenya is Africa's fifth largest coffee producer. According to data from the International Coffee Organization, the country produced around 775,000 60kg bags in 2020.

The country exports around 95% of its coffee to many international markets, with the United States and Germany importing the largest volumes.

This means that the remaining 5% of the country's coffee production is consumed locally. And while tea consumption remains high in Kenya, the number of people drinking coffee is increasing.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that Kenya's domestic coffee consumption will increase to 43,000 60 kg bags by the end of 2022. While the country's reputation as a producer of High quality Arabica seems to be growing, consumers expect Kenyan coffee consumers in the next few years.

Coffee Farming in Kenya [2022]

Coffee Farming in Kenya 

While Kenya's coffee production volumes have fluctuated somewhat in recent years, the East African country is well known for its specialty coffees.

It has five distinct coffee regions. These are the center (Mount Kenya and the Aberdare mountain range), the West (Kisii, Nyanza and Bungoma), the Great Rift Valley (Nakuru and Kericho), the east (Machakos, Embu and Meru) and the coast (Taita Hills).

Type of Coffee in Kenya - Coffee Farming in Kenya

Coffee Farming in Kenya; These regions grow a variety of varieties, including SL-14, SL-28, SL-34, Batian, Ruiru 11, and K7. The SL group, selected from the Bourbon variety in the 1930s, has helped improve the quality and yields of Kenyan coffee dramatically over the years.

Classification of Coffee in Kenya - Coffee Farming in Kenya

In addition to its unique varieties, the country is also known for its differentiated classification system. Coffee beans are classified according to their size, shape and overall quality. These ratings are AA, AB, PB, C, E and TT.

The washing process is the most common method in Kenya, giving the coffees a crisp, acidic flavor profile. Historically it has been used by Kenyan farmers to create a more repeatable flavor profile; however, Kenya's natural coffee market is also growing.

The country's trading system also makes it unique. The coffees are graded by the Kenya Coffee Growers and Traders Association (KCPTA) before being marketed through a central auction organized by the Nairobi Coffee Exchange.

However, most coffee is first processed by 'coffee marketers', who sometimes restrict direct purchases from smallholders.

The Coffee Growing Industry in Kenya - Coffee Farming in Kenya

Ecological Requirement - Coffee Farming in Kenya

Kenya's climate is perfectly suited to Coffee Farming in Kenya. Coffee grows in fertile volcanic soils and at high altitudes which are usually between 1,400 and 2,000 m above sea level. Fertile, deep, well-drained volcanic soils are ideal for growing Arabica coffee. . These soils are also acidic, with a pH between 5.3 and 6.0, which makes them even more ideal for Coffee Farming in Kenya.

Arabica Coffee also needs more rain to thrive and in Kenya rainfall of 1000mm to 2000mm per year in most coffee growing areas, which is also well distributed throughout the year, is perfect for this kind of coffee.

Climate - The tropical climate of the country is more than ideal for coffee production. It is difficult to distinguish the months with a balanced temperature, the seasons are practically non-existent. Two rainy periods (April-June and October-November) will diversify the microclimate and the remaining dry months are harvest time.

Soil: Kenyan soil is exceptionally fertile due to the presence of an active volcanic system. The volcanic soil is rich in mineral nutrients that enhance the flavor of the coffee.

The Best Coffee Fertilizer to Increase Yields - Coffee Farming in Kenya.

 


The video will guide you on how to do a soil test.

The highest coffee yields are obtained in free-draining soils, where water is not limiting.
Careful preparation of the soil before sowing and maintenance of the pH between 5.2 and 6.3, good rooting and that nutrients are readily available. Therefore, it is important to balance the cations in the soil at this stage.

Fertilizer nutrition is essential to ensure crops with high coffee productivity potential.

Nitrogen Deficiency - Coffee Farming in Kenya

Nitrogen is essential for strong vegetative growth and to maintain good solid cherry filling for high yields. The importance of nitrogen for coffee productivity has been confirmed by a wide range of tests in the main coffee growing regions.

Nitrogen Deficiency; You need to add more nitrogen to the soil if the leaves near the bud turn yellow or white. Another sign of nitrogen deficiency is stunting of young trees and premature leaf drop.

Nitrogen is important because it helps the plant produce lots of flowers and ultimately increases yields.
Nitrogen deficiency is caused by planting coffee trees in soils with little organic matter or when there is a lot of irrigation. High levels of undecomposed organic matter can also lead to nitrogen deficiency.

Potassium Deficiency - Coffee Farming in Kenya  

Potassium promotes vigour, increases cellular strength and increases the coffee tree's tolerance to disease and water or frost stress. It is a key factor in coffee production, important for respiration, photosynthesis and water regulation. It is also important to balance potassium use with nitrogen use, as high levels of both nutrients are needed for optimal growth.

Phosphorus Deficiency - Coffee Farming in Kenya

Phosphorus is important for early growth and rooting, especially in nurseries and transplants, and for filling beans. Especially during peak demand periods, foliar applications of phosphorus can increase coffee productivity.

Calcium Deficiency - Coffee Farming in Kenya

Calcium is needed to ensure good root and leaf growth, strengthen the structure of the coffee plant and increase tree productivity. Even the fruit filling is necessary.

Magnesium and Sulfur have a positive effect on coffee productivity and supplies should not be limited throughout the season.


Zinc Deficiency - Coffee Farming in Kenya

Zinc is essential because it helps to make coffee trees resistant to cold. the nutrient promotes the development of flower buds and ensures that fruits are produced on time.

You need to add zinc-based fertilizer if the leaves turn pale yellow. In some severe cases, the leaves may turn almost white and lose their luster. Several factors can cause zinc deficiency; sow in soils with high organic matter content and high pH.

Iron Deficiency - Coffee Farming in Kenya

Iron deficiency only affects young leaves. Young leaves turn pale green and in severe cases turn white. It is important to note that the veins remain green and iron deficiency has the same signs as magnesium deficiency.

One of the main importance's of iron is that it optimizes the quality of the blade, which increases yields. Iron deficiency is caused by several factors, such as high amounts of copper and zinc. Lack can also be caused by planting in waterlogged soils.

Molybdenum Deficiency - Coffee Farming in Kenya

Some plants have trouble absorbing nutrients like nitrate and potassium from the soil. To help with nitrate absorption, farmers need to add a nutrient called molybdenum. You can tell your coffee plant is deficient in molybdenum if the plant has bright yellow spots near the edge of the leaves.

In severe cases, leaf margins may become necrotic. Molybdenum deficiency can be caused by planting coffee in soils with low pH and little organic matter.

Zinc and Boron are particularly important at the flowering stage to improve fruit development and the overall yield potential of coffee.

Bottom Line – Coffee Farming in Kenya.

The best coffee fertilizer should meet the needs of the coffee tree. For example, if the coffee tree lacks zinc, you should only add a zinc-based fertilizer. If the plant lacks nitrogen, you will need to add a nitrogen-based fertilizer.

Low Availability of any micronutrient will limit coffee tree growth, mainly productive leaf area, and reduce coffee productivity.

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