Growing Cotton in Samburu
Soil suitability analysis based on Samburu's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Samburu is poorly suited to Cotton. Samburu's soil (pH 8.28, alkaline) gives Cotton a suitability score of 38/100. Match fertilizer to Samburu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Samburu County is a challenging environment for Cotton (soil-match score 38/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.28 the soil sits above Cotton's preferred 5.8–8 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.67 g/kg, P 42.1 mg/kg, K 387 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Cotton prefers clay soils, while Samburu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cotton is the #18 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Samburu County. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Samburu's 38/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 428 kg/acre (~KES 29,104/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Samburu's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Samburu soil | Cotton needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 8.28 | 5.8–8 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.67 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 42.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 387 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 350 mm | 450–1,200 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 900 m | 0–1,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Samburu's nitrogen (0.67 g/kg) is 84% of the 0.8 g/kg Cotton needs, so the standard 0.5 bags/acre is raised to 0.75. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Samburu
Varieties suited to Samburu's 900 m altitude and 350 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 cotton varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag