Growing Rice (Upland) in Vihiga

Soil suitability analysis based on Vihiga's nutrient profile

Rice (Upland) can be grown in Vihiga County, but the soil scores 51/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.62 — 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 — measured at N 1.02 g/kg, P 14.8 mg/kg, K 164 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. 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. Rice (Upland)'s full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 189,000/acre at KES 105/kg), but at Vihiga's 51/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,148 kg/acre (~KES 120,540/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.