Growing Passion Fruit in Kakamega

Soil suitability analysis based on Kakamega's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Kakamega is moderately suited to Passion Fruit. Kakamega's soil (pH 5.63, slightly acidic) gives Passion Fruit a suitability score of 74/100. Match fertilizer to Kakamega's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kakamega County is a solid choice for Passion Fruit, with a soil-match score of 74/100. Local soils average pH 5.63 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Passion Fruit prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 147 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. At current prices (about KES 70/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Passion Fruit crop here can gross roughly KES 560,000 per acre.

74Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKakamega soilPassion Fruit needsStatus
pH5.635.57.5OK
Nitrogen1.01 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus14 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium147 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,900 mm900–1,800 mmHigh
Altitude1,500 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 Kakamega7,400 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 518,000/acre
Adjusted for Kakamega's 74/100 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