Growing Rice (Upland) in Nairobi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile

Rice (Upland) can be grown in Nairobi County, but the soil scores 47/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.85 — neutral and inside the 5–7 band Rice (Upland) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 1.1 g/kg, P 22.1 mg/kg, K 236 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Rice (Upland), which favours clay. At 1700 m, the county sits above Rice (Upland)'s preferred altitude ceiling of 1300 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. Rice (Upland)'s full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 189,000/acre at KES 105/kg), but at Nairobi's 47/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,058 kg/acre (~KES 111,090/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.