Growing Cotton in Nakuru
Soil suitability analysis based on Nakuru's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Nakuru is moderately suited to Cotton. Nakuru's soil (pH 6.28, slightly acidic) gives Cotton a suitability score of 64/100. Match fertilizer to Nakuru's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Nakuru County is a solid choice for Cotton, with a soil-match score of 64/100. Local soils average pH 6.28 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.59 g/kg), phosphorus (25.2 mg/kg) and potassium (239 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. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cotton is the #87 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nakuru County. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Nakuru's 64/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 720 kg/acre (~KES 48,960/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nakuru soil | Cotton needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.28 | 5.8–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.59 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.2 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 239 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 450–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,750 m | 0–1,500 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Nakuru's nitrogen (1.59 g/kg) already meets Cotton's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Nakuru
Varieties suited to Nakuru's 1,750 m altitude and 900 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 cotton varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag