Growing Pawpaw in Kisumu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Kisumu is moderately suited to Pawpaw. Kisumu's soil (pH 5.54, slightly acidic) gives Pawpaw a suitability score of 68/100. Match fertilizer to Kisumu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kisumu County is a solid choice for Pawpaw, with a soil-match score of 68/100. At an average pH of 5.54 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Pawpaw's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 0.91 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Pawpaw prefers sandy loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pawpaw is the #55 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kisumu County. Pawpaw's full potential is about 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 336,000/acre at KES 28/kg), but at Kisumu's 68/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 10,200 kg/acre (~KES 285,600/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisumu soil | Pawpaw needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.54 | 6–7.5 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.91 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 12.5 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 166 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 600–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,150 m | 0–1,200 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Kisumu's nitrogen (0.91 g/kg) is 76% of the 1.2 g/kg Pawpaw needs, so the standard 0.5 bags/acre is raised to 0.75. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Kisumu's 1,150 m altitude and 1,200 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag