Growing Pawpaw in Laikipia

Soil suitability analysis based on Laikipia's nutrient profile

Laikipia County is a challenging environment for Pawpaw (soil-match score 37/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 4.99 the soil is strongly acidic, below Pawpaw's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.42 g/kg), phosphorus (16.6 mg/kg) and potassium (215 mg/kg) all meet Pawpaw's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Pawpaw, which favours sandy loam. At 1700 m, the county sits above Pawpaw's preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 10,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pawpaw crop here can gross roughly KES 280,000 per acre.