Growing Cotton in Bungoma

Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile

Bungoma County is a solid choice for Cotton, with a soil-match score of 65/100. At an average pH of 5.56 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Cotton's preferred 5.8–8 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.12 g/kg), phosphorus (15.7 mg/kg) and potassium (161 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. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Bungoma's 65/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 731 kg/acre (~KES 49,708/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.