Growing Quinoa in Kwale
Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Kwale is poorly suited to Quinoa. Kwale's soil (pH 6.76, near-neutral) gives Quinoa a suitability score of 1/100. Match fertilizer to Kwale's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kwale County is a challenging environment for Quinoa (soil-match score 1/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 6–8.5 band Quinoa prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.93 g/kg, P 9.8 mg/kg, K 131 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Quinoa, which favours loam. At 200 m, the county sits below Quinoa's preferred altitude range (1500–3000 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Quinoa is the #106 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kwale County. Quinoa's full potential is about 700 kg/acre (~KES 105,000/acre at KES 150/kg), but at Kwale's 1/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 9 kg/acre (~KES 1,350/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Kwale's soil: Dhania, Pigeon Peas, and Mango — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kwale soil | Quinoa needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.76 | 6–8.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.93 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 9.8 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 131 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 300–800 mm | High |
| Altitude | 200 m | 1,500–3,000 m | Low |
Planting calendar for Kwale
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Top dressing guide
Kwale's nitrogen (0.93 g/kg) already meets Quinoa's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag