Growing Dragon Fruit in Bomet
Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Bomet is moderately suited to Dragon Fruit. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Dragon Fruit a suitability score of 74/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bomet County is a solid choice for Dragon Fruit, with a soil-match score of 74/100. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Dragon Fruit prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Dragon Fruit's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Dragon Fruit prefers sandy loam soils, while Bomet is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Dragon Fruit is the #57 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bomet County. At current prices (about KES 500/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Dragon Fruit crop here can gross roughly KES 2,500,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bomet soil | Dragon Fruit needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.02 | 5.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.38 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 237 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 500–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 0–1,700 m | High |
Planting calendar for Bomet
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag