Growing Quinoa in Kajiado
Soil suitability analysis based on Kajiado's nutrient profile
Kajiado County is a solid choice for Quinoa, with a soil-match score of 64/100. Local soils average pH 6.55 — neutral and inside the 6–8.5 band Quinoa prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.97 g/kg), phosphorus (20.6 mg/kg) and potassium (257 mg/kg) all meet Quinoa's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Quinoa, which favours loam. Quinoa's full potential is about 700 kg/acre (~KES 105,000/acre at KES 150/kg), but at Kajiado's 64/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 560 kg/acre (~KES 84,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kajiado soil | Quinoa needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.55 | 6–8.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.97 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 20.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 257 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 500 mm | 300–800 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,300 m | 1,500–3,000 m | Low |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Top dressing guide
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag