Growing Amaranth in Kilifi
Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile
Yes — Kilifi is well suited to Amaranth. Kilifi's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Amaranth a suitability score of 81/100. Match fertilizer to Kilifi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kilifi County is well suited to Amaranth, scoring 81/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Amaranth prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.8 g/kg, P 11 mg/kg, K 109 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Amaranth, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Amaranth is the #31 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kilifi County. At current prices (about KES 40/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Amaranth crop here can gross roughly KES 200,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kilifi soil | Amaranth needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.24 | 5.5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.8 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 11 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 109 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 700 mm | 500–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 150 m | 0–2,400 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kilifi
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
Kilifi's nitrogen (0.8 g/kg) is 67% of the 1.2 g/kg Amaranth needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.5. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Kilifi
Varieties suited to Kilifi's 150 m altitude and 700 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 7 amaranth varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag