Growing Rice (Upland) in Machakos

Soil suitability analysis based on Machakos's nutrient profile

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. 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.