Growing Rice (Upland) in Machakos
Soil suitability analysis based on Machakos's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Machakos is only marginally suited to Rice (Upland). Machakos's soil (pH 7.03, near-neutral) gives Rice (Upland) a suitability score of 54/100. Match fertilizer to Machakos's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Rice (Upland) can be grown in Machakos County, but the soil scores 54/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 7.03 the soil sits above Rice (Upland)'s preferred 5–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.82 g/kg, P 31.4 mg/kg, K 338 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Rice (Upland) prefers clay soils, while Machakos is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Rice (Upland) is the #76 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Machakos County. Rice (Upland)'s full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 189,000/acre at KES 105/kg), but at Machakos's 54/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,215 kg/acre (~KES 127,575/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Machakos's soil: Mango, Sisal, and Moringa — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Machakos soil | Rice (Upland) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.03 | 5–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.82 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 31.4 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 338 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 700 mm | 800–2,000 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 1,100 m | 0–1,300 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Machakos's nitrogen (0.82 g/kg) is 68% 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 Machakos
Varieties suited to Machakos's 1,100 m altitude and 700 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 rice (upland) varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag