Growing Amaranth in Kirinyaga

Soil suitability analysis based on Kirinyaga's nutrient profile

Kirinyaga County is a solid choice for Amaranth, with a soil-match score of 73/100. At an average pH of 5.31 the soil is moderately acidic, below Amaranth's preferred 5.5–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.36 g/kg), phosphorus (12.5 mg/kg) and potassium (177 mg/kg) all meet Amaranth's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Amaranth prefers loam soils, while Kirinyaga is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 40/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Amaranth crop here can gross roughly KES 160,000 per acre.