Growing Rice (Upland) in Taita Taveta
Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Taita Taveta is poorly suited to Rice (Upland). Taita Taveta's soil (pH 6.64, near-neutral) gives Rice (Upland) a suitability score of 31/100. Match fertilizer to Taita Taveta's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Taita Taveta County is a challenging environment for Rice (Upland) (soil-match score 31/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 5–7 band Rice (Upland) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 12.9 mg/kg, K 104 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Rice (Upland) prefers clay soils, while Taita Taveta is largely loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Taita Taveta receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Rice (Upland)'s minimum of 800 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Rice (Upland) is the #66 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Taita Taveta County. Rice (Upland)'s full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 189,000/acre at KES 105/kg), but at Taita Taveta's 31/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 698 kg/acre (~KES 73,290/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Taita Taveta's soil: Sorghum, Cowpeas, and Pigeon Peas — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Taita Taveta soil | Rice (Upland) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.64 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.97 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 12.9 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 104 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 500 mm | 800–2,000 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 700 m | 0–1,300 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Taita Taveta's nitrogen (0.97 g/kg) is 81% 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 Taita Taveta
Varieties suited to Taita Taveta's 700 m altitude and 500 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 rice (upland) varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag