Tea Farming Guide — Kenya
Soil requirements, top counties, seed varieties, fertilizer plan & economics
Soil Requirements
pH Range
4.5–5.5
Nitrogen
high
Phosphorus
medium
Potassium
medium
Preferred texture: Clay
Best Counties for Tea
Challenging Counties for Tea
These counties may need soil amendments for Tea
Certified Seed Varieties
TRFK 31/8Highland Tea Zone
Tea Research Institute · 1000-1200 days · 50-70 bags/acre
Drought tolerant; standard yield control clone.
TRFK 306 (Purple Tea)Highland Tea Zone
Tea Research Institute · 1000-1200 days · 40-60 bags/acre
Rich in anthocyanin; premium specialty tea.
Economics
Market priceKES 25/kg
Expected yield3,000 kg/acre
Est. revenueKES 75,000/acre
Top Dressing
Product: NPK 26:5:5
Timing: Continuous (every 3 months)
Bags/acre: 1
Apply evenly around root zone. Avoid lime — tea prefers acidic soil.
Fertilizer Prices
DAPKES 2,500
CANKES 2,500
NPK 17:17:17KES 2,500
UreaKES 2,500
LimeKES 1,500
Subsidized price / 50kg bag