Growing Pawpaw in West Pokot

Soil suitability analysis based on West Pokot's nutrient profile

Pawpaw can be grown in West Pokot County, but the soil scores 54/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.04 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Pawpaw prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.67 g/kg), phosphorus (24.8 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Pawpaw's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Pawpaw, which favours sandy loam. 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. Pawpaw's full potential is about 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 336,000/acre at KES 28/kg), but at West Pokot's 54/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 8,100 kg/acre (~KES 226,800/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.