Pawpaw Farming In Kenya: How Much Do I Invest and What’s The Profit

Pawpaw farming has been practiced in Kenya for a relatively long time. However, most of the people who cultivated this fruits did it for own consumption. It is a wonderful source of vitamins during the long dry periods in Kenya during which other fruit farming activities don't give much.  

Recently things have changed and pawpaw farming is not just for subsistence; it is now an income generating venture in Kenya. Gone are the days we did agriculture blindly: we are now in the days of AGRIBUSINESS in which you must carefully consider the amount of capital you invest in the farming venture and the expected profit.

Pawpaw (papaya) is in this light one of the most profitable fruit farming ventures you would engage in today. While we have enjoyed this sweet fruit from the days of our childhood, its commercial production in Kenya only took root about 3 years ago and the rate at which investors are taking this venture is impressive.

Pawpaw farmers in the country have moved from supplying their fruits only to the local fresh fruit markets to processing – like Kenya Papaya Products Ltd – and exporting. This growth creates and impressive investment opportunity.

Capital requirement

So how much do you invest and what are the expected returns?  Allow us to give you figure from our experience: these are figures (in Ksh) for one acre done with the recommended spacing of 2x2 meters in which an acre accommodates 1100 plants. They are estimates for one farming period which runs for about 2 years.

Land clearing (by ploughing)                                                                   4,500

Holes Preparation (Digging and application of manure)                    33,000

Manure                                                                                                         20,000

Seedlings                                                                                                      66,000

Crop protection (pesticides and fungicides)                                         10,000

Irrigation                                                                                                      20,000

Labour (for general orchard maintenance)                                           20,000

Total                                                                                      173,500

Returns:

The average yield per acre of various varieties of pawpaw is about 40 tons per year. Farm gate prices for a kilo of pawpaw go as high as Ksh.60 but let us take a more conservative price of Ksh.30 per kg and a yield of 30 tons per acre. The total income for the first year then comes to Ksh.900,000 giving a profit of Ksh.726,500. 

Read Also:
1. Pawpaws Make You Money While Asking For Very Little Input From You

2. Neofresh Pawpaw Farm Is a Mind-blowing Inspiration

The same crop should also produce about the same tonnage in the second year. After the second year, production starts going down but with proper farm management, the same trees could give you good quantities in the third and fourth year. 

However, the lifespan of the trees depend mainly on the variety. The varieties commonly cultivated in Kenya are solo sunrise and mountain pawpaw have a lifespan of up to 4 years. New dwarf varieties such as calina papaya IPB9, the Malaysian Red Lady and the Red Royal have gained much popularity in Kenya.

The new dwarf varieties have numerous advantages:

1. The trees are easy to manage due to their size
2. They produce big fruits of about 1kg each but still with a good keeping quality
3. They are self pollinating hence no male trees that only take up space without producing fruits.
4. The fruits have an attractive red color and are very sweet.

Pawpaw farming guide for Kenya

Pawpaw farming is a venture worth considering. If you would want to invest in it, we would love to guide you through. You can call or WhatsApp us on 0724698357. 

You can also get this papaya farming guide that will guide you right from planting of the seeds through the growth period to harvesting and marketing. 

Request for your copy through the Farmer's Resources Page.

Ready to plant seedlings are also available at  our nurseries in Embu and Naivasha. We also do deliveries countrywide and help you set up the farm, guide you through the growth period and later connect you to consistent buyers. For more enquiries about this and to get our help in setting up your farm, kindly call or whatsapp us on +254724698357.