Growing Cotton in Bomet
Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Bomet is only marginally suited to Cotton. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Cotton a suitability score of 45/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Cotton can be grown in Bomet County, but the soil scores 45/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Cotton's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Cotton, which favours clay. At 1900 m, the county sits above Cotton's preferred altitude ceiling of 1500 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cotton is the #84 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bomet County. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Bomet's 45/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 506 kg/acre (~KES 34,408/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Bomet's soil: Wambugu Apples, Kale (Sukuma Wiki), and Garden Peas — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bomet soil | Cotton needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.02 | 5.8–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.38 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 237 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 450–1,200 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 0–1,500 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Bomet's nitrogen (1.38 g/kg) already meets Cotton's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Bomet
Varieties suited to Bomet's 1,900 m altitude and 1,500 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 cotton varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag