Growing Cotton in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Cotton can be grown in Trans Nzoia County, but the soil scores 50/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.93 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 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 Trans Nzoia's 50/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 563 kg/acre (~KES 38,284/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.