Growing Cotton in Kericho
Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Kericho is poorly suited to Cotton. Kericho's soil (pH 5.94, slightly acidic) gives Cotton a suitability score of 34/100. Match fertilizer to Kericho's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
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. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cotton is the #93 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kericho County. 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.
Better matched to Kericho's soil: Kale (Sukuma Wiki), Sweet Potato, and Wambugu Apples — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kericho soil | Cotton needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.94 | 5.8–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.34 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.7 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 225 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,800 mm | 450–1,200 mm | High |
| Altitude | 2,000 m | 0–1,500 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Kericho's nitrogen (1.34 g/kg) already meets Cotton's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Kericho's 2,000 m altitude and 1,800 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag