Growing Cotton in Garissa

Soil suitability analysis based on Garissa's nutrient profile

Garissa County is a challenging environment for Cotton (soil-match score 22/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.96 — alkaline and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.61 g/kg, P 37.7 mg/kg, K 407 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Cotton prefers clay soils, while Garissa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Garissa receives approximately 250 mm/year — well below Cotton's minimum of 450 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cotton is the #15 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Garissa County. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Garissa's 22/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 248 kg/acre (~KES 16,864/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Garissa's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.