Amaranth: growing from seeds to grain

Currently, many countries around the world produce amaranth for grain, as a feed for animals, as a salad or decorative culture. The cultivation of this plant has become popular in our country, and in some areas it has taken on a mass character.

The history of amaranth as a food product is estimated for thousands of years. He for centuries was the main meal of the Indians of the New World. The nutritional value of the amaranth was at the level of beans and corn. But since these cultures were brought to the Old World, there continued their cultivation. Amaranth was banned for consumption because it was a ritual culture of the Aztecs.

In our country, the first to try to revive interest in this plant was Academician N. Vavilov, after visiting Mexico in 1930. But only 60 years later, his dreams were destined to come true. Now in our country an area of about 50 thousand hectares is cultivated amaranth.

Cultivation of seeds of this culture all over the world is the merit of American scientists from the Center of Rodale, Pennsylvania. They created a truly unique stock of planting material. The Center is breeding and breeding, recommendations are being developed on cultivation technology.

Specialists of this center give recommendations to beginning farmers who are going to grow amaranth. Cultivation of the seeds of this crop should not occupy large areas. This area of business is very short-lived. First you need to pick up quality seeds of amaranth, learn how to sow, grow, harvest, transport, dry, and only after that you can begin to expand sowing areas.

At the first stage, it is necessary to find a market for the sale of amaranth seeds, to conclude treaties. The field of activity of this sphere in Russia is not too extensive, for us this plant remains an exotic culture. A small number of domestic companies are engaged in processing seeds in oil, flour, produce flakes, caramels, they are used in baking, cosmetology. Also things are in the US. Only slightly more than 500 farmers cultivate amaranth, growing from seeds to grain is carried out in areas of about 4 thousand acres.

Despite the fact that the popularity of this culture is not at the proper level, it is quite advantageous in the economic sense. Economists have calculated that for those farmers who cultivate amaranth, growing from seeds requires little money, and seeds are sold at a cost of 40 cents per pound, flour is sold at $ 10 per kilo, and seed oil is $ 200 / kg. Net income from one acre, which produces grain, reaches $ 350. For comparison: corn gives only 200 dollars of profit. But for such indicators it is necessary to find a buyer.

Such small amounts of amaranth cultivation around the world are due to the fact that there is a large variety of traditional foods in each country. But the scientists of the world are sure that in the future this culture will be in demand due to its merits.

Amaranth is a highly nutritious culture, its protein contains a large amount of lysine, which can fully satisfy the need of humanity in it. This plant is sufficiently drought-resistant, has small watering needs. Cultivation of amaranth is an economically and environmentally beneficial measure.