A
wise choice of the best variety is something you must consider in order to make
your pawpaw farming business significantly profitable. There are about 9 main varieties
currently being farmed in Kenya, all with diverse characteristics. It would be
unfair to explicitly force to you one of these varieties claiming it’s the best.
Instead, we will point out the three of them that we think have the most outstanding
characteristics.
1. The Solo Sunrise Pawpaw
This
is one variety that has been loved by everyone who has tried pawpaw farming in
Kenya. It was first imported by KALRO and propagated in their farm in Baringo.
It fast spread throughout the country with many farmers taking it up in Meru,
Machakos and Makueni. Today, it is the most common in the country and its
largest propagator, Richfarm Kenya, has distributed seeds to as far as Zambia.
Solo sunrise pawpaw tree |
Solo
sunrise pawpaw tree matures fast and starts bearing fruits after only 6 months.
At this age, the tree is about 1 meter tall. As it sets fruits, more flowers
develop on the growing crown and by the time the tree is a year old, it would
be carrying over 60 fruits. The production is continuous and the tree will give
you more than 100 fruits in the second year of production.
The
fruits are small and pear-shaped, with a red flesh and very sweet taste. Each
fruit weighs about 500 grams, ideal for one person to eat in one
sitting. The fruits have excellent keeping quality since a ripe fruit can be
kept for 14 days without going bad. This is why it is the best variety to farm
is you are targeting the export market.
Read Also:
Why Solo Sunrise Is the Most Popular Pawpaw Variety in Kenya and the World
It is not surprising to see that solo sunrise variety has emerged as the most popular since this is...
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2. Calina Papaya IPB9 Pawpaw
This
variety was imported into Kenya from Indonesia. Its outstanding characteristic
is that it is a pure dwarf: it starts bearing fruits at only 30 cm high. It matures
very fast such that is you planted it in a hot area with sufficient water for irrigation,
you harvest your first fruit in under 6 months.
Calina papaya IPB9 |
Calina
papaya fruits are large and oval weighing between 0.5kg and 1.2 kgs. They have a
very appealing red colour inside and are very sweet as well. Most of the fresh
fruit vendors in town love it because of its large size that allows them to
slice it and sell in parts. Can you also imagine how attractive a bowl of fruit
pudding would look like with the bright red chops of this pawpaw?
This
variety may not have as good keeping quality as solo sunrise but it is still a
darling for fruit exporters. With good management, each tree of this variety
will give you more than 50 fruits in a year.
One
advantage that farmers of Calina papaya IPB9 variety have is that they can
space the trees a bit more closely (1.5 meters from plant to plant) hence
ending up with about 1350 trees in an acre. You know what that means? Of course
more yield per acre hence more money in the pocket.
Read Also:
Pawpaw Farming In Kenya: How Much Do I Invest and What’s The Profit
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...
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3. The Red Lady Dwarf Pawpaw
This
is another great variety originating from the Philippines. It is high yielding giving
up to 120 fruits in the second year after transplanting. Although it takes a
bit longer to mature (9 months on average), it has a long productive lifespan
and can give you fruits year in, year out for more than 5 years.
Red lady F1 Pawpaw |
Red
lady pawpaw fruits are oval in shape, obviously red and sweet but a bit smaller
than those of Calina papaya IPB9. They weigh 400 to 650 grams on average.
I
should have mentioned by now that it is a self pollinating variety just like
the other two we have discussed above. That means as a farmer, you do not have
the burden of keeping male trees that do not produce fruits in your orchard.
So
among these 3 top pawpaw varieties in Kenya, which one would you go for as a
farmer?
If
you are a new farmer or intent to invest in pawpaw farming, I recommend that
you also read
We have also compiled this comprehensive pawpaw farming guide for Kenya with step by step information from planting through to harvesting and marketing. It also contains budget estimates. It is now available on PDF so you can even read it from your phone while at the farm. You can now download your copy for free from our Resources Page.
High Quality Ready to Plant Papaya Seedlings
We have high quality pawpaw seedlings of the three best varieties mentioned above. You can always visit our nurseries in Embu to pick your seedlings or simply place your order and let us figure out how to deliver the seedlings to your farm. Give us a call on 0724698357 to place your order
We are now glad to announce that the people of Rift valley are now covered well by our Naivasha nursery. You can visit Richfarm Naivasha at Boffar farm along Moi South Lake road or call 0723213602 to place your order.
While pawpaw farming is a lucrative business in Kenya today and relatively cheap to start in Kenya today, it requires a lot of space: for you to make any meaningful returns, you should start with at least one acre. However, space should never be a limitation to investing in agribusiness. If you have a small space and you would like to do farming for business, then one of the best investments you can make is in mushroom farming. We put together this article How To Make Money With Mushroom Farming In Kenya Throughout The Year 2021 to help you get started. Whenever you have questions, you can always reach us on call through 0724698357.
30 comments :
Can I get the guidebooks of pawpaw farming please
Am interested in farming ..can I get contact for more information,want to plant 8 acres ,,was interested in solo and calina
Contact me on duncanzomo82@gmail.com
what's the cost of certified papaya seeds? (self pollinated variety)
Certified pawpaw seeds for solo and how much does it cost per seed
Solo Sunrise seeds cost Ksh5,000 for a pack of one acre. Call 0724698357 to order
I would like to know the prices for solo sunrise,calina IPB9 and Red Lady F1 pawpaw. What the quantities per different packages.
Which variety would you recommend for Kenyan market
I am in mosoroit near eldoret where can i get the seeds.
which is the best variety for baringo county and what are the prices?
How do I order pawpaw seeds from Kenya to Nakonde, Zambia
Comrade from Nakonde Zambia get in contact with me so that we make orders together to reduce ship cost, u may also wish us to exchange notes I ve been into papaya farming since 2020. catch me on 0966992809
Ipb9 variety where do I get it at how much ksh
Hi, I am in Moi's Bridge, in Trans-nzoia County, which variety can you recommend for this region?
Thanks in Advance.
I am in Baringo county at mogotio and interested to start pawpaw farming next year which variaty can you recommend for me among the three in a one acre next year.please tell me.
Am in sultan HAMUD Makueni County which is the best variety for this area
I'm in Kerugoya Kirimunge) where do I get solo sunrise trees. How much is one tree
Hi. Did this deal materialise?
How can I get the seeds I am in Mombasa.
Hi,I am in namibia and interested in the Ibp9 seeds. How do I get them?kindly reach me at norryadel@gmail.com thank you
What is the price of Small packet of seeds for Carina variety. I want to plant in a garden.
Good afternoon I would a pack of solo sunrise pawpaw seeds enough for one acre please advise
Hae?am Damaris frm murang'a,u can connect me with buyers,am interested with sunrise solo seed
I am interested can i have WhatsApp number please from Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
I'm in kerio valley where can I get solo sunrise seedlings 0726541361
How can I get calina pawpaw seeds from Kanya to Bertoua Cameroon
How much does it cost
Am from coast currently mida this is between kilifi and malindi i have 3 acres and I need start farming kindly reach me mokolicharo@gmail.com
Am very much interested in solo and calina, my email is mpingasah@gmail.com
Am very much interested in solo and calina, my email is mpingasah@gmail.com
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