Growing Cotton in Nairobi
Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile
Nairobi County is a solid choice for Cotton, with a soil-match score of 73/100. Local soils average pH 6.85 — neutral and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.1 g/kg), phosphorus (22.1 mg/kg) and potassium (236 mg/kg) all meet Cotton's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Cotton, which favours clay. 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.
Suitability score
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nairobi soil | Cotton needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.85 | 5.8–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.1 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 22.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 236 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 450–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–1,500 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4–6 after emergence
Instruction
Apply at squaring stage for boll development.
Bags per Acre
0.5
Recommended seed varieties
KSA 81MDryland/Medium
KALRO · 150-180 days · 10-15 bags/acre
Medium staple; adapted to western Kenya conditions.
HART 89MDryland
KALRO · 140-170 days · 8-12 bags/acre
Good lint quality; tolerant to bacterial blight.
Economics
Market priceKES 68/kg
Expected yield in Nairobi821 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 55,828/acre
Adjusted for Nairobi's 73/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Cotton can reach 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.
Preferred textureClay
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag