Growing Pawpaw in Elgeyo Marakwet

Soil suitability analysis based on Elgeyo Marakwet's nutrient profile

Elgeyo Marakwet County is a challenging environment for Pawpaw (soil-match score 44/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.27 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Pawpaw prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.39 g/kg), phosphorus (22.2 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Pawpaw's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Pawpaw, which favours sandy loam. At 1800 m, the county sits above Pawpaw's preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 10,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pawpaw crop here can gross roughly KES 280,000 per acre.