What grows in NGAMILAND DELTA
NORTH WEST, Botswana
The 2026/27 season in NGAMILAND DELTA
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | November 2026 to March 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 488 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January, February and December look short of rain. Plant at the early end of the window, favour quicker and more drought-tolerant crops, and keep moisture in the soil: mulch, and weed early. |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +2.0 °C over the growing months. Heat makes the same rain do less, so a dry spell bites sooner: do not plant late, and shade or mulch what you can. |
| What that supports | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | One kind of ground throughout. |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in NGAMILAND DELTA
-
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
8.6–9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.7–0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 19 Nov 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.9–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.2–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 29 Nov 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.9–1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.0–2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.8–3.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.9–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.5–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
24.6–30.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
· about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 25 Dec 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 25 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.9 t/ha expected
· about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 14 Jan 2027 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 31 Jan 2027 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
MaizeFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
MoringaFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
PapayaFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 4 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 5 Dec 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.8 t/ha expected
· about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
EggplantFavourablePlant 22 Nov 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 22 Nov 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 22 Nov 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 1.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
RiceModeratePlant 22 Nov 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionModerate
Plant 12 Dec 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceModeratePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
KaleModeratePlant 22 Nov 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk
Rain-fed. These dates are worked out from each place's own rainfall, for a field watered by the season — with irrigation a window can open earlier, close later, or come round more than once a year. Check your own field under What grows, or get the Divisi app for a calendar dated to your farm.
What grows in NGAMILAND DELTA with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
GuavaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LimeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CashewFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 108.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 54.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 41.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CassavaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 48.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Swiss chardFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 48.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 11 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.5 t/ha expected
Early-maturing — escapes late drought
What Divisi would not plant in NGAMILAND DELTA
Every crop in the catalogue is scored against this district, not only the ones that work — so the list above is a decision rather than a shortlist. These are the rest, with what ruled each one out.
- Mango Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Cashew Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Cassava Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
- Guava Unsuitable — Water
- Irish potato Unsuitable
- Lemon Unsuitable — Water
- Lime Unsuitable — Water
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Pineapple Unsuitable — Water
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Swiss chard Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
- Yam Unsuitable — Water
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 36 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across NGAMILAND DELTA, and the map colours which kind of ground each part of it is. Your own soil, slope and rainfall will shift the dates — the Divisi app works them out for your field, and dates each job that follows.
Or check your field firstWhat changed in NGAMILAND DELTA
- 2 September 2026 Mandarin — Crop became recommendable
- 2 September 2026 Watermelon — Crop became recommendable
- 2 September 2026 Spider Plant — Crop became recommendable
- 2 September 2026 Lime — Crop became recommendable
This calendar moves
Planting windows shift with the forecast. Leave your email and we'll send what changed, and a note when planting time nears — a couple of emails a month at most.
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in NGAMILAND DELTA?
Jute mallow, Groundnut, Sesame, Soybean, Bambara groundnut all rate well in NGAMILAND DELTA — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Jute mallow in NGAMILAND DELTA?
In NGAMILAND DELTA the window for Jute mallow runs 27 Dec 2026 to 5 Feb 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in NGAMILAND DELTA?
Divisi does. It reads NGAMILAND DELTA's own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average, so the planting dates and crop shortlist on this page are the same ones the app works out for a field here — then dates each job for that field, and keeps working with no signal.
Is this exact for my own field?
No — these are readings taken across NGAMILAND DELTA, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.