Growing Rice (Upland) in Lamu

Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile

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. 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.