Growing Amaranth in Migori

Soil suitability analysis based on Migori's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Migori is moderately suited to Amaranth. Migori's soil (pH 5.43, strongly acidic) gives Amaranth a suitability score of 74/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Migori County is a solid choice for Amaranth, with a soil-match score of 74/100. At an average pH of 5.43 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 (1.2 g/kg), phosphorus (12.2 mg/kg) and potassium (169 mg/kg) all meet Amaranth's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Amaranth, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Amaranth is the #30 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Migori 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.

74Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMigori soilAmaranth needsStatus
pH5.435.5–7.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.2 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.2 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium169 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,400 mm500–1,500 mmOK
Altitude1,300 m0–2,400 mOK

Planting calendar for Migori

Long Rains· March–MayMain season here

March
Sowing or Transplanting & CAN Basal
April
Thinning & 1st Top Dressing
May
Continuous Leaf Harvest

Short Rains· September–November

September
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
October
Weeding & Top Dressing
November
Harvesting & Seed Saving

Dry Season· January–March

January
Irrigation & Continuous Harvesting
February
Top Dressing every 3 weeks
March
Replanting if stand exhausted

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2-3 after thinning
Instruction
Top dress after thinning and again after each major leaf harvest to sustain tender regrowth
Bags per acre in Migori
1

Migori's nitrogen (1.2 g/kg) already meets Amaranth's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Seed varieties for Migori

7 amaranth varieties are rated for Migori's altitude (1,300 m) and rainfall (1,400 mm):

Terere KALRO· Medium/HighlandAmaranthus Cruentus· MediumGrain Amaranth (Hypochondriacus)· Medium/HighlandKAT Gold (KAM 114)· Lowland to Highland 20-2400mTerere Smart· Lowland to Highland 20-2400mKK Livokoyi (AM 38)· Lowland to Highland 250-2000mKK Mrambi (Ex-Zim)· Lowland to Highland 250-2000m
Full variety details — maturity, yield & breeder →

Economics

Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield in Migori4,625 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 185,000/acre
Adjusted for Migori's 74/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Amaranth can reach 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 200,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag