Growing Pawpaw in Baringo

Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Baringo is well suited to Pawpaw. Baringo's soil (pH 6.22, slightly acidic) gives Pawpaw a suitability score of 88/100. Match fertilizer to Baringo's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Baringo County is well suited to Pawpaw, scoring 88/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.22 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Pawpaw prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet Pawpaw's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Pawpaw prefers sandy loam soils, while Baringo is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pawpaw crop here can gross roughly KES 336,000 per acre.

88Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBaringo soilPawpaw needsStatus
pH6.2267.5OK
Nitrogen1.32 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.4 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium212 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall700 mm600–1,500 mmOK
Altitude900 m0–1,200 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Every 3 months
Instruction
Apply in a ring around the stem. Pawpaw is a fast-growing fruit and requires consistent nutrition.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Sunrise SoloCoastal/Medium
KALRO · 270-365 days · 13.5–18 tons/acre
Small fruits; sweet orange flesh; high market demand.
Wambugu F1Medium/Highland
Local · 300-365 days · 11.7–16.2 tons/acre
Adapted to highland conditions; good disease tolerance.

Economics

Market priceKES 28/kg
Expected yield 12,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 336,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag