Growing Rice (Upland) in Kisii
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisii's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Kisii is only marginally suited to Rice (Upland). Kisii's soil (pH 5.21, strongly acidic) gives Rice (Upland) a suitability score of 47/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Rice (Upland) can be grown in Kisii County, but the soil scores 47/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.21 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7 band Rice (Upland) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 1.09 g/kg, P 13.1 mg/kg, K 151 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Rice (Upland), which favours clay. At 1700 m, the county sits above Rice (Upland)'s preferred altitude ceiling of 1300 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Rice (Upland) is the #74 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kisii County. Rice (Upland)'s full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 189,000/acre at KES 105/kg), but at Kisii's 47/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,058 kg/acre (~KES 111,090/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Kisii's soil: Tea, Macadamia, and Pineapple — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisii soil | Rice (Upland) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.21 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.09 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 13.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 151 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 800–2,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–1,300 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Kisii's nitrogen (1.09 g/kg) is 91% of the 1.2 g/kg Rice (Upland) needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Kisii
Varieties suited to Kisii's 1,700 m altitude and 1,500 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 rice (upland) varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag