Growing Cotton in Kisumu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile

Kisumu County is a solid choice for Cotton, with a soil-match score of 69/100. At an average pH of 5.54 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 (0.91 g/kg), phosphorus (12.5 mg/kg) and potassium (166 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. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Kisumu's 69/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 776 kg/acre (~KES 52,768/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.