Growing Pawpaw in Nakuru

Soil suitability analysis based on Nakuru's nutrient profile

Pawpaw can be grown in Nakuru County, but the soil scores 48/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.28 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Pawpaw prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.59 g/kg), phosphorus (25.2 mg/kg) and potassium (239 mg/kg) all meet Pawpaw's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Pawpaw, which favours sandy loam. At 1750 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.