Growing Passion Fruit in Siaya

Soil suitability analysis based on Siaya's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Siaya is moderately suited to Passion Fruit. Siaya's soil (pH 5.33, strongly acidic) gives Passion Fruit a suitability score of 70/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Siaya County is a solid choice for Passion Fruit, with a soil-match score of 70/100. At an average pH of 5.33 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 1.2 g/kg, P 12.1 mg/kg, K 134 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Passion Fruit, which favours loam. Passion Fruit's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre at KES 70/kg), but at Siaya's 70/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 490,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

70Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorSiaya soilPassion Fruit needsStatus
pH5.335.57.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.2 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.1 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium134 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,200 mm900–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,200 m1,200–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Start of rains biannual
Instruction
Apply in a ring around the drip line. Split into 2 applications per year.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Purple PassionMedium/Highland
KALRO · 365-548 days · 4.5–7.2 tons/acre
Purple fruited; high juice content; good local and export market.
Yellow PassionMedium/Highland
KALRO · 270-365 days · 5.4–8.1 tons/acre
Yellow fruited; more vigorous; tolerant to fusarium wilt.

Economics

Market priceKES 70/kg
Expected yield in Siaya7,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 490,000/acre
Adjusted for Siaya's 70/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Passion Fruit can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 560,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag