Growing Cotton in Uasin Gishu
Soil suitability analysis based on Uasin Gishu's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Uasin Gishu is only marginally suited to Cotton. Uasin Gishu's soil (pH 6.39, slightly acidic) gives Cotton a suitability score of 46/100. Match fertilizer to Uasin Gishu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Cotton can be grown in Uasin Gishu County, but the soil scores 46/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.39 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.56 g/kg), phosphorus (25.3 mg/kg) and potassium (227 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 2100 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 #88 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Uasin Gishu County. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Uasin Gishu's 46/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 518 kg/acre (~KES 35,224/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Uasin Gishu's soil: Beans, Snow Peas, and Napier Grass — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Uasin Gishu soil | Cotton needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.39 | 5.8–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.56 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.3 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 227 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,100 mm | 450–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 2,100 m | 0–1,500 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Uasin Gishu's nitrogen (1.56 g/kg) already meets Cotton's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Uasin Gishu's 2,100 m altitude and 1,100 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag