Growing Cotton in Turkana

Soil suitability analysis based on Turkana's nutrient profile

Turkana County is a challenging environment for Cotton (soil-match score 28/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.95 — alkaline and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.41 g/kg, P 38.5 mg/kg, K 417 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Cotton prefers clay soils, while Turkana is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Turkana receives approximately 300 mm/year — well below Cotton's minimum of 450 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cotton is the #15 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Turkana County. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Turkana's 28/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 315 kg/acre (~KES 21,420/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Turkana's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.