Growing Amaranth in Wajir

Soil suitability analysis based on Wajir's nutrient profile

Wajir County is a challenging environment for Amaranth (soil-match score 7/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.4 the soil sits above Amaranth's preferred 5.5–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.52 g/kg, P 39.3 mg/kg, K 396 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Amaranth prefers loam soils, while Wajir is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Wajir receives approximately 200 mm/year — well below Amaranth's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Amaranth is the #31 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Wajir County. Amaranth's full potential is about 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 200,000/acre at KES 40/kg), but at Wajir's 7/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 438 kg/acre (~KES 17,520/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Wajir's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.