Growing Rice (Upland) in West Pokot
Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — West Pokot is moderately suited to Rice (Upland). West Pokot's soil (pH 6.04, slightly acidic) gives Rice (Upland) a suitability score of 70/100. Match fertilizer to West Pokot's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
West Pokot County is a solid choice for Rice (Upland), with a soil-match score of 70/100. Local soils average pH 6.04 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Rice (Upland) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 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 West Pokot is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Rice (Upland) is the #81 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for West Pokot County. Rice (Upland)'s full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 189,000/acre at KES 105/kg), but at West Pokot's 70/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,575 kg/acre (~KES 165,375/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | West Pokot soil | Rice (Upland) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.04 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.67 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 24.8 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 211 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,000 mm | 800–2,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 0–1,300 m | High |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag