Growing Rice (Lowland/Paddy) in Kisumu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Kisumu is well suited to Rice (Lowland/Paddy). Kisumu's soil (pH 5.54, slightly acidic) gives Rice (Lowland/Paddy) a suitability score of 87/100. Match fertilizer to Kisumu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kisumu County is well suited to Rice (Lowland/Paddy), scoring 87/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.54 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–7 band Rice (Lowland/Paddy) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.91 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay soils suit Rice (Lowland/Paddy), which favours clay. At current prices (about KES 100/kg) and a typical 2,600 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Rice (Lowland/Paddy) crop here can gross roughly KES 260,000 per acre.

87Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKisumu soilRice (Lowland/Paddy) needsStatus
pH5.544.57OK
Nitrogen0.91 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus12.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium166 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm1,100–2,000 mmOK
Altitude1,150 m0–1,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
Urea
Timing
Tillering and panicle initiation
Instruction
Split into 2 applications. Apply before flooding where possible for better uptake.
Bags per Acre
1

Recommended seed varieties

KombokaMedium/Lowland
KALRO · 100-115 days · 20-28 bags/acre
High yielding paddy; resistant to blast; developed for Mwea and lowland Kenya.
Basmati 370Medium/Lowland
KALRO · 130-150 days · 18-24 bags/acre
Aromatic long-grain; premium export market; suited to Mwea Irrigation Scheme.

Economics

Market priceKES 100/kg
Expected yield 2,600 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 260,000/acre

Preferred textureClay

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
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