To grow papaya, choosing the right location is crucial for successful papaya farming. Papaws thrive in tropical and sub tropical climates with well drained soils and plenty of sunlight. The site should be free from water logging and have free air circulation.
Field agronomic practices
Land preparation. Prepare the land by ploughing, levelling and adding organic matter or compost to improve soil fertility. Drainage channels can be dug if needed to prevent water logging conditions.
Planting. papaya can be planted from seed but using grafted seedlings is recommended for quicker fruit setting.
Plant the seedlings in rows with adequate spacing to allow for proper growth of the papaya.
Irrigation is required to supply water to the crops especially during the dry season. Drip irrigation or sprinkler is used to evenly moisten the soil.
Apply fertilizers at regular intervals to provide nutrients to the plants.
Management practices
Pruning and thinning. Prune out dead and diseased leaves and also thin out excess fruits to allow for growth and expansion of the remaining fruits.
Pests and disease control. Monitor for pests and diseases like aphids, mealy bugs and papaya ring spot virus disease. Employ pest control measures and use disease resistant varieties.
