Amaranth Project:

PLANTING

1. Research2. Designs3. Future

RESEARCH Kenya

Grain is staple of diet, not Amaranth Do eat Amaranth leaves Have been asked to try tools before that have

failed to yield better results. Planting Conditions:

Soil hardness varies by plot 44” of rain a year (Providence weather) Seeds are approx. 1/32' in radius

Amaranth Seeds

RESEARCH Planting Methods:

They grow most efficiently when the rows are spaced apart 18 inches and the seeds are spaced apart 3-4 inches

2 lbs of seed per acre is the recommended rate—includes plants that are pulled in between rows.

The seeds should be planted about ½ inch deep Amaranth yields are fairly constant across a range

of 1/4 to 4 pounds of planted seed per acre

RESEARCH

Existing PracticesTill soil with hand

hoe and mattockPlots are usually ½

to 3-4 acres, however, larger plots have machinery.

If fertilizer is available, it is used.

Mattock

RESEARCH Currently, Amaranth is not

planted in specific rows. Once plants sprout, certain ones

are pulled in order to form rows Leaves from pulled plants are

used for food.

DESIGN --- Goals 1

Reduce the amount of time & number of laborers required to plant.

Reduce number of wasted plants by planting the seeds in rows.

Make general labor easier—upright devices where the person came just push/pull it along.

DESIGN --- Goals 2

At least two rows of seed dispersal so that there is no need to measure.

Design should be:• Cost Effective• Reliable• Simple• Sustainable

DESIGN --- “Roto-Blade”

Simple Design Uses bamboo Might still

need another device to till/aerate the soil.

DESIGN --- Double Wheel

Could Till as well as deposit seed at the same time.

Easy upright use—could simply push it.

Slightly more complicated, but all in one.

FUTURE PLANS

Answer final questions• Verify what resources are available

(bamboo?)Work out final details on design:

• Means for securing parts• Controlling flow of seeds

Building and Testing