Growing Pawpaw in Kilifi
Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile
Yes — Kilifi is well suited to Pawpaw. Kilifi's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Pawpaw a suitability score of 76/100. Match fertilizer to Kilifi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kilifi County is well suited to Pawpaw, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Pawpaw prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.8 g/kg, P 11 mg/kg, K 109 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Pawpaw, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pawpaw crop here can gross roughly KES 336,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kilifi soil | Pawpaw needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.24 | 6–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.8 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 11 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 109 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 700 mm | 600–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 150 m | 0–1,200 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag