Growing Cotton in Kwale
Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile
Yes — Kwale is well suited to Cotton. Kwale's soil (pH 6.76, near-neutral) gives Cotton a suitability score of 88/100. Match fertilizer to Kwale's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kwale County is well suited to Cotton, scoring 88/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.93 g/kg, P 9.8 mg/kg, K 131 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Cotton prefers clay soils, while Kwale is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cotton is the #9 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kwale County. At current prices (about KES 68/kg) and a typical 900 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cotton crop here can gross roughly KES 61,200 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kwale soil | Cotton needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.76 | 5.8–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.93 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 9.8 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 131 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 450–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–1,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag