Growing Rice (Upland) in Tharaka Nithi

Soil suitability analysis based on Tharaka Nithi's nutrient profile

Tharaka Nithi County is well suited to Rice (Upland), scoring 78/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 4.99 the soil is strongly acidic, below Rice (Upland)'s preferred 5–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.23 g/kg), phosphorus (19.6 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Rice (Upland)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Rice (Upland) prefers clay soils, while Tharaka Nithi is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 105/kg) and a typical 1,600 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Rice (Upland) crop here can gross roughly KES 168,000 per acre.