Growing Amaranth in Nairobi
Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile
Nairobi County is well suited to Amaranth, scoring 90/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.85 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Amaranth prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 1.1 g/kg, P 22.1 mg/kg, K 236 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Amaranth, which favours loam. 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.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Nairobi soil | Amaranth needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.85 | 5.5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.1 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 22.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 236 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Sowing or Transplanting & CAN Basal
Month 2
Thinning & 1st Top Dressing
Month 3
Continuous Leaf Harvest
Short Rains
Month 1
Sowing & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Weeding & Top Dressing
Month 3
Harvesting & Seed Saving
Dry Season
Month 1
Irrigation & Continuous Harvesting
Month 2
Top Dressing every 3 weeks
Month 3
Replanting if stand exhausted
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2-3 after thinning
Instruction
Top dress with CAN after thinning and again after each major leaf harvest to sustain tender regrowth
Bags per Acre
1
Recommended seed varieties
Terere KALROMedium/Highland
KALRO · 30-45 days · 60-90 bags/acre
Indigenous leafy vegetable; high iron and protein; fast multiple harvests; KALRO selection.
Amaranthus CruentusMedium
Simlaw Seeds · 30-45 days · 60-85 bags/acre
Leafy type; broad soft leaves; continuous harvest; drought tolerant.
Grain Amaranth (Hypochondriacus)Medium/Highland
KALRO · 90-120 days · 8-12 bags/acre
Grain type; gluten-free; high lysine; dual leaf and grain use.
KAT Gold (KAM 114)Lowland to Highland 20-2400m
KALRO · 80-100 days · 8-11 bags/acre
Golden seeded; dual purpose (grain & veg); highly drought tolerant.
Terere SmartLowland to Highland 20-2400m
KALRO · 75-90 days · 6-7 bags/acre
Whitish cream seeds; dual purpose; main stem is erect with a big panicle.
KK Livokoyi (AM 38)Lowland to Highland 250-2000m
KALRO / University of Eldoret · 45 days · 22 bags/acre
Leafy vegetable; long harvesting window (30 days); very high calcium/magnesium/zinc.
KK Mrambi (Ex-Zim)Lowland to Highland 250-2000m
KALRO / University of Eldoret · 45 days · 27 bags/acre
Leafy vegetable; long harvesting window (45 days); high calcium & magnesium.
Economics
Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield4,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 160,000/acre
Preferred textureLoam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag