Growing Rice (Upland) in Tharaka Nithi
Soil suitability analysis based on Tharaka Nithi's nutrient profile
Yes — Tharaka Nithi is well suited to Rice (Upland). Tharaka Nithi's soil (pH 4.99, strongly acidic) gives Rice (Upland) a suitability score of 78/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
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. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Rice (Upland) is the #10 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Tharaka Nithi County. At current prices (about KES 105/kg) and a typical 1,800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Rice (Upland) crop here can gross roughly KES 189,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Tharaka Nithi soil | Rice (Upland) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 4.99 | 5–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.23 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 19.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 211 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 800–2,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,100 m | 0–1,300 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag