Growing Cotton in Trans Nzoia
Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Trans Nzoia is only marginally suited to Cotton. Trans Nzoia's soil (pH 5.93, slightly acidic) gives Cotton a suitability score of 50/100. Match fertilizer to Trans Nzoia's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
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. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cotton is the #89 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Trans Nzoia County. 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.
Better matched to Trans Nzoia's soil: Kale (Sukuma Wiki), Finger Millet, and Sweet Potato — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Trans Nzoia soil | Cotton needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.93 | 5.8–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.68 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 27.3 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 213 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 450–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 0–1,500 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Trans Nzoia's nitrogen (1.68 g/kg) already meets Cotton's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Trans Nzoia
Varieties suited to Trans Nzoia's 1,900 m altitude and 1,200 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 cotton varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag