Growing Dragon Fruit in Kisii
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisii's nutrient profile
Kisii County is well suited to Dragon Fruit, scoring 75/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.21 the soil is moderately acidic, below Dragon Fruit's preferred 5.5–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.09 g/kg, P 13.1 mg/kg, K 151 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Dragon Fruit prefers sandy loam soils, while Kisii is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 500/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Dragon Fruit crop here can gross roughly KES 2,500,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisii soil | Dragon Fruit needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.21 | 5.5–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.09 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 13.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 151 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 500–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–1,700 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag