Growing Passion Fruit in Nyandarua

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyandarua's nutrient profile

Nyandarua County is a solid choice for Passion Fruit, with a soil-match score of 73/100. At an average pH of 5.38 the soil is moderately acidic, below Passion Fruit's preferred 5.5–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.28 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Passion Fruit prefers loam soils, while Nyandarua is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. 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.

73Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientNyandarua soilPassion Fruit needsStatus
pH5.385.57.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.28 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus14 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium166 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