Growing Rice (Upland) in Nyamira
Soil suitability analysis based on Nyamira's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Nyamira is only marginally suited to Rice (Upland). Nyamira's soil (pH 5.58, slightly acidic) gives Rice (Upland) a suitability score of 49/100. Match fertilizer to Nyamira's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Rice (Upland) can be grown in Nyamira County, but the soil scores 49/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.58 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Rice (Upland) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.84 g/kg, P 11.6 mg/kg, K 148 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. 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 #73 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyamira County. Rice (Upland)'s full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 189,000/acre at KES 105/kg), but at Nyamira's 49/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,103 kg/acre (~KES 115,815/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Nyamira's soil: Sweet Potato, Soybeans, and Pineapple — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nyamira soil | Rice (Upland) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.58 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.84 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 11.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 148 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,600 mm | 800–2,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–1,300 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Nyamira's nitrogen (0.84 g/kg) is 70% 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 Nyamira
Varieties suited to Nyamira's 1,700 m altitude and 1,600 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 rice (upland) varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag