Growing Rice (Upland) in Baringo

Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Baringo is moderately suited to Rice (Upland). Baringo's soil (pH 6.22, slightly acidic) gives Rice (Upland) a suitability score of 70/100. Match fertilizer to Baringo's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Baringo County is a solid choice for Rice (Upland), with a soil-match score of 70/100. Local soils average pH 6.22 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Rice (Upland) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet Rice (Upland)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Rice (Upland), which favours clay. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Rice (Upland) is the #69 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Baringo County. Rice (Upland)'s full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 189,000/acre at KES 105/kg), but at Baringo's 70/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,575 kg/acre (~KES 165,375/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

70Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBaringo soilRice (Upland) needsStatus
pH6.2257OK
Nitrogen1.32 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.4 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium212 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall700 mm800–2,000 mmLow
Altitude900 m0–1,300 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
Urea
Timing
Tillering and panicle initiation
Instruction
Split into 2 applications. Flooding helps N uptake.
Bags per Acre
1

Recommended seed varieties

NERICA 1Medium
WARDA/KALRO · 90-100 days · 15-20 bags/acre
Upland adapted; drought tolerant; good grain quality.
NERICA 10Medium/Dryland
WARDA/KALRO · 100-110 days · 12-18 bags/acre
Resistant to blast; good milling quality.

Economics

Market priceKES 105/kg
Expected yield in Baringo1,575 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 165,375/acre
Adjusted for Baringo's 70/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Rice (Upland) can reach 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 189,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureClay

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag