Growing Cotton in Nandi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nandi's nutrient profile

Cotton can be grown in Nandi County, but the soil scores 49/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.17 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.37 g/kg), phosphorus (26.4 mg/kg) and potassium (207 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 1900 m, the county sits above Cotton's preferred altitude ceiling of 1500 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Nandi's 49/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 551 kg/acre (~KES 37,468/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.