Growing Rice (Upland) in Homa Bay

Soil suitability analysis based on Homa Bay's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Homa Bay is well suited to Rice (Upland). Homa Bay's soil (pH 5.27, strongly acidic) gives Rice (Upland) a suitability score of 81/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Homa Bay County is well suited to Rice (Upland), scoring 81/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.27 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7 band Rice (Upland) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 1.05 g/kg, P 13.8 mg/kg, K 147 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Rice (Upland), which favours clay. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Rice (Upland) is the #13 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Homa Bay County. At current prices (about KES 105/kg) and a typical 1,800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Rice (Upland) crop here can gross roughly KES 189,000 per acre.

81Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorHoma Bay soilRice (Upland) needsStatus
pH5.2757OK
Nitrogen1.05 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus13.8 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium147 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,100 mm800–2,000 mmOK
Altitude1,200 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 1,800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 189,000/acre

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