Growing Cotton in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Kericho County is a challenging environment for Cotton (soil-match score 34/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.94 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Cotton's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay soils suit Cotton, which favours clay. At 2000 m, the county sits above Cotton's preferred altitude ceiling of 1500 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Kericho's 34/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 383 kg/acre (~KES 26,044/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.