Growing Rice (Upland) in Narok
Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Narok is moderately suited to Rice (Upland). Narok's soil (pH 6.13, slightly acidic) gives Rice (Upland) a suitability score of 55/100. Match fertilizer to Narok's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Rice (Upland) can be grown in Narok County, but the soil scores 55/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.13 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Rice (Upland) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 mg/kg) all meet Rice (Upland)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. 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 #92 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Narok County. Rice (Upland)'s full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 189,000/acre at KES 105/kg), but at Narok's 55/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,238 kg/acre (~KES 129,990/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Narok's soil: Finger Millet, Groundnuts, and Soybeans — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Narok soil | Rice (Upland) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.13 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.63 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.7 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 234 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 800 mm | 800–2,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–1,300 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Narok's nitrogen (1.63 g/kg) already meets Rice (Upland)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Narok
Varieties suited to Narok's 1,700 m altitude and 800 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 rice (upland) varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag