Growing Passion Fruit in Lamu

Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile

Lamu County is a challenging environment for Passion Fruit (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Passion Fruit prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Passion Fruit prefers loam soils, while Lamu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Lamu receives approximately 600 mm/year — well below Passion Fruit's minimum of 900 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 70/kg) and a typical 4,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Passion Fruit crop here can gross roughly KES 315,000 per acre.

0Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientLamu soilPassion Fruit needsStatus
pH6.315.57.5OK
Nitrogen0.74 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus9.6 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium117 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Every 2 months during rains
Instruction
Apply to support continuous vine extension and fruiting. Add MOP.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Purple PassionMedium/Highland
KALRO · 365-548 days · 50-80 bags/acre
Purple fruited; high juice content; good local and export market.
Yellow PassionMedium/Highland
KALRO · 270-365 days · 60-90 bags/acre
Yellow fruited; more vigorous; tolerant to fusarium wilt.

Economics

Market priceKES 70/kg
Expected yield4,500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 315,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag