Growing Rice (Lowland/Paddy) in Murang'a
Soil suitability analysis based on Murang'a's nutrient profile
Yes — Murang'a is well suited to Rice (Lowland/Paddy). Murang'a's soil (pH 5.03, strongly acidic) gives Rice (Lowland/Paddy) a suitability score of 82/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Murang'a County is well suited to Rice (Lowland/Paddy), scoring 82/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.03 — moderately acidic and inside the 4.5–7 band Rice (Lowland/Paddy) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.2 g/kg), phosphorus (12.2 mg/kg) and potassium (168 mg/kg) all meet Rice (Lowland/Paddy)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay soils suit Rice (Lowland/Paddy), which favours clay. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Rice (Lowland/Paddy) is the #7 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Murang'a County. 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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Murang'a soil | Rice (Lowland/Paddy) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.03 | 4.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.2 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.2 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 168 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 1,100–2,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 0–1,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Murang'a's nitrogen (1.2 g/kg) already meets Rice (Lowland/Paddy)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Murang'a
Varieties suited to Murang'a's 1,500 m altitude and 1,200 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 rice (lowland/paddy) varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag