Cotton farming guide — Kenya
Soil requirements, top counties, seed varieties, fertilizer plan & economics
To grow cotton in Kenya, aim for soil pH 5.8–8 (clay soils); the best-suited counties are Kajiado, Machakos, Kitui, Kwale, Taita Taveta. Apply DAP or NPK at planting and top-dress with CAN at Week 4–6 after emergence. A well-managed crop yields about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200 gross per acre).
Interested in starting or scaling cotton farming in Kenya? This comprehensive guide maps out the optimal soil requirements (such as target pH ranges), the most suitable counties for growing cotton, certified seed varieties, seasonal fertilizer guidelines, and a detailed per-acre production budget to set you up for a successful harvest.
Soil requirements
Growing conditions for Cotton
Cotton does best with 450–1,200 mm of rainfall a year at 0–1,500 m above sea level. In drier areas, irrigation or water harvesting closes the gap; outside the altitude band, growth and yields drop.
Optimizing soil and fertilizers for Cotton in Kenya
To achieve maximum yields when farming cotton in Kenya, managing soil suitability is crucial. This crop performs best within a soil pH range of 5.8 to 8. Soils that fall outside this range can lock out essential macro and micro-nutrients, leading to stunted growth or crop failure. For acidic soils, applying dolomitic or calcitic agricultural lime is recommended at least 30 days before planting to normalize acidity.
Fertilizer application should be calibrated based on the crop’s nutrient demands. Cotton has a medium nitrogen requirement, medium phosphorus requirement, and medium potassium demand. Using certified seed varieties suited for your specific altitude and rainfall pattern, combined with a precise basal and top-dressing program (such as applying CAN at Week 4–6 after emergence), ensures high crop quality and protects your overall farm investment.
How to grow cotton in Kenya
- 1Prepare the soilEnsure soil pH is between 5.8 and 8. Preferred texture: Clay. Apply agricultural lime if your pH is below 5.8, ideally 30 days before planting.
- 2Plant at the right timeSelect certified cotton seed varieties suited to your altitude zone and plant at the onset of the rains.
- 3Apply basal fertilizerCotton needs medium nitrogen, medium phosphorus, and medium potassium. Apply a balanced basal fertilizer such as DAP or NPK at planting.
- 4Top-dressAt Week 4–6 after emergence, apply 0.5 bag(s) per acre of CAN. Apply at squaring stage for boll development.
- 5Monitor and harvestScout regularly for pests and disease. Expected yield is about 900 kg/acre at roughly KES 68/kg.
Best counties for Cotton
Challenging counties for Cotton
These counties may need soil amendments for Cotton
Certified seed varieties
Economics
Top dressing
Apply at squaring stage for boll development.
Fertilizer prices
Subsidized price / 50kg bag
Frequently asked questions about cotton farming in Kenya
What soil pH is best for growing cotton in Kenya?
Cotton grows best in soil with a pH of 5.8 to 8. If your soil is more acidic than pH 5.8, apply agricultural lime about 30 days before planting to raise the pH and free up nutrients. The preferred soil texture is clay.
Which counties are best for cotton farming in Kenya?
By soil suitability, the top counties for cotton are Kajiado, Machakos, Kitui, Kwale, Taita Taveta. A full ranking of all 47 counties, each with a suitability score, is shown above.
What fertilizer does cotton need?
Cotton has medium nitrogen, medium phosphorus, and medium potassium requirements. Apply a balanced basal fertilizer such as DAP or NPK at planting, then top-dress with 0.5 bag(s) per acre of CAN at Week 4–6 after emergence.
How much can I earn from cotton per acre in Kenya?
Cotton yields about 900 kg per acre. At a market price of roughly KES 68/kg, that is around KES 61,200 per acre in gross revenue, before input and labour costs.
Get your free ShambaIQ farm plan
Planning to grow cotton? Get a free, dated season plan — with reminders for when to plant, top-dress and scout — sent to your phone.
Free forever · 47 counties · English & Kiswahili