Growing Rice (Upland) in Nairobi
Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Nairobi is only marginally suited to Rice (Upland). Nairobi's soil (pH 6.85, near-neutral) gives Rice (Upland) a suitability score of 47/100. Match fertilizer to Nairobi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
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. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Rice (Upland) is the #95 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nairobi County. 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.
Better matched to Nairobi's soil: Dhania, Pumpkin, and Rosemary — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nairobi soil | Rice (Upland) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.85 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.1 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 22.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 236 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 800–2,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–1,300 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Nairobi's nitrogen (1.1 g/kg) is 92% of the 1.2 g/kg Rice (Upland) needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Nairobi
Varieties suited to Nairobi's 1,700 m altitude and 900 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 rice (upland) varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag