Growing Passion Fruit in Busia

Soil suitability analysis based on Busia's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Busia is moderately suited to Passion Fruit. Busia's soil (pH 5.29, strongly acidic) gives Passion Fruit a suitability score of 69/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Busia County is a solid choice for Passion Fruit, with a soil-match score of 69/100. At an average pH of 5.29 the soil is moderately acidic, below Passion Fruit's preferred 5.5–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 0.91 g/kg, P 16.6 mg/kg, K 175 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Passion Fruit, which favours loam. Passion Fruit's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre at KES 70/kg), but at Busia's 69/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 6,900 kg/acre (~KES 483,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

69Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBusia soilPassion Fruit needsStatus
pH5.295.57.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.91 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus16.6 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium175 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,400 mm900–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,200 m1,200–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Start of rains biannual
Instruction
Apply in a ring around the drip line. Split into 2 applications per year.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Purple PassionMedium/Highland
KALRO · 365-548 days · 4.5–7.2 tons/acre
Purple fruited; high juice content; good local and export market.
Yellow PassionMedium/Highland
KALRO · 270-365 days · 5.4–8.1 tons/acre
Yellow fruited; more vigorous; tolerant to fusarium wilt.

Economics

Market priceKES 70/kg
Expected yield in Busia6,900 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 483,000/acre
Adjusted for Busia's 69/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Passion Fruit can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

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