Growing Cotton in West Pokot
Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile
Yes — West Pokot is well suited to Cotton. West Pokot's soil (pH 6.04, slightly acidic) gives Cotton a suitability score of 82/100. Match fertilizer to West Pokot's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
West Pokot County is well suited to Cotton, scoring 82/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.04 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Cotton's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Cotton prefers clay soils, while West Pokot is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cotton is the #65 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for West Pokot County. At current prices (about KES 68/kg) and a typical 900 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cotton crop here can gross roughly KES 61,200 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | West Pokot soil | Cotton needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.04 | 5.8–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.67 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 24.8 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 211 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,000 mm | 450–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 0–1,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag