Growing Pawpaw in Murang'a

Soil suitability analysis based on Murang'a's nutrient profile

Murang'a County is a challenging environment for Pawpaw (soil-match score 39/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 5.03 the soil is moderately acidic, 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 potassium — measured at N 1.2 g/kg, P 12.2 mg/kg, K 168 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Pawpaw prefers sandy loam soils, while Murang'a is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 1500 m, the county sits above Pawpaw's preferred altitude ceiling of 1200 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pawpaw is the #98 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Murang'a County. Pawpaw's full potential is about 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 336,000/acre at KES 28/kg), but at Murang'a's 39/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 5,850 kg/acre (~KES 163,800/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Murang'a's soil: Tea, Macadamia, and Pineapple — each scores higher on the same soil.