Growing Rice (Upland) in Lamu
Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Lamu is only marginally suited to Rice (Upland). Lamu's soil (pH 6.31, slightly acidic) gives Rice (Upland) a suitability score of 45/100. Match fertilizer to Lamu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Rice (Upland) can be grown in Lamu County, but the soil scores 45/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Rice (Upland) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Rice (Upland) prefers clay soils, while Lamu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Rice (Upland) is the #54 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Lamu County. Rice (Upland)'s full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 189,000/acre at KES 105/kg), but at Lamu's 45/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,013 kg/acre (~KES 106,365/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Lamu's soil: Sesame (Simsim), Sorghum, and Cowpeas — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Lamu soil | Rice (Upland) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.31 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.74 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 9.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 117 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 600 mm | 800–2,000 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 10 m | 0–1,300 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Lamu's nitrogen (0.74 g/kg) is 62% of the 1.2 g/kg Rice (Upland) needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.5. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Lamu
Varieties suited to Lamu's 10 m altitude and 600 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 rice (upland) varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag