Growing Cotton in Narok
Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Narok is moderately suited to Cotton. Narok's soil (pH 6.13, slightly acidic) gives Cotton a suitability score of 66/100. Match fertilizer to Narok's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Narok County is a solid choice for Cotton, with a soil-match score of 66/100. Local soils average pH 6.13 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 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 #80 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Narok County. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Narok's 66/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 743 kg/acre (~KES 50,524/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Narok soil | Cotton needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.13 | 5.8–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.63 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.7 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 234 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 800 mm | 450–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–1,500 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Narok's nitrogen (1.63 g/kg) already meets Cotton's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Narok
2 cotton varieties are rated for Narok's altitude (1,700 m) and rainfall (800 mm):
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag