Growing Pumpkin in Kakamega

Soil suitability analysis based on Kakamega's nutrient profile

Pumpkin can be grown in Kakamega County, but the soil scores 53/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.63 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Pumpkin's preferred 5.8–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 147 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Pumpkin prefers sandy loam soils, while Kakamega is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pumpkin is the #62 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kakamega County. Pumpkin's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/acre at KES 30/kg), but at Kakamega's 53/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 6,625 kg/acre (~KES 198,750/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Kakamega's soil: Soybeans, Rice (Lowland/Paddy), and Sweet Potato — each scores higher on the same soil.