Growing Cotton in Elgeyo Marakwet

Soil suitability analysis based on Elgeyo Marakwet's nutrient profile

Elgeyo Marakwet County is a solid choice for Cotton, with a soil-match score of 60/100. Local soils average pH 6.27 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.39 g/kg), phosphorus (22.2 mg/kg) and potassium (213 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 Elgeyo Marakwet's 60/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 675 kg/acre (~KES 45,900/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.