Growing Quinoa in Wajir

Soil suitability analysis based on Wajir's nutrient profile

Wajir County is a challenging environment for Quinoa (soil-match score 1/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 8.4 — alkaline and inside the 6–8.5 band Quinoa prefers, so no lime is usually required. 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 medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Quinoa 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 Quinoa's minimum of 300 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Quinoa is the #78 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Wajir County. Quinoa's full potential is about 700 kg/acre (~KES 105,000/acre at KES 150/kg), but at Wajir'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 Wajir's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.