Growing Pawpaw in Taita Taveta

Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile

Pawpaw can be grown in Taita Taveta County, but the soil scores 58/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Pawpaw prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 12.9 mg/kg, K 104 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly loam soils suit Pawpaw, which favours sandy loam. 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.