Growing Amaranth in Lamu
Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile
Yes — Lamu is well suited to Amaranth. Lamu's soil (pH 6.31, slightly acidic) gives Amaranth a suitability score of 81/100. Match fertilizer to Lamu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Lamu County is well suited to Amaranth, scoring 81/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.31 — 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 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Amaranth prefers loam soils, while Lamu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Amaranth is the #26 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Lamu 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 | Lamu soil | Amaranth needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.31 | 5.5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.74 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 9.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 117 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 600 mm | 500–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 10 m | 0–2,400 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Lamu
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
Lamu's nitrogen (0.74 g/kg) is 62% 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.
Recommended seed varieties
All 7 listed amaranth varieties shown — none are specifically rated for Lamu's conditions. Confirm with your agrovet.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag