GIS based suitability analysis for coffee farming in Kenya

Abstract

Coffee production in Kenya has been declining, worsening the socio-economic wellbeing of the local farmers. This study was undertaken to develop a method and design a spatial model to help in identifying sites in Elgeyo-Marakwet County in Kenya that are suitable for sustainable production of coffee. The methodology used for this study integrates GIS, remote sensing and Multi Criteria Modelling to analyze topography, soil, land cover, and climate factors by matching them with the requirements for the growth of coffee. The model used was validated based on the output results. The study results indicate that the places suitable for Arabica and Robusta coffee production cover an area of 1793.6 Km2 (58.3%) and 539.3 Km2 (17.5%) respectively. The results for Arabica suitability classes show that highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3), and not suitable (N) cover an area of 69.6 Km2 (1.2%), 1409.5 Km2 (46.6%), 314.6 Km2 (10.4%), 1231.0 Km2 and (40.7%) respectively. The results for Robusta coffee analysis indicate the classes highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3), and not suitable (N) extend to an area of 5.78 Km2 (0.2%), 507.03 Km2 (16.8%), 16.48 Km2 (0.5%), and 2495.35 Km2 (82.5%) respectively. The findings for the research imply that, for sustainable coffee economic gains in the study area, farmers need to consider growing more of Arabica coffee and less of the Robusta type. These results could be used by farmers, agricultural extension officers and the county government to devise new strategies on practical sustainable coffee farming in Kenya. The findings could be replicated in the rest of the country to boost coffee production as well as production of other crops.