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What grows in Bench Sheko

South West Ethiopia, Ethiopia

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Map showing the boundary of Bench Sheko

The 2026 season in Bench Sheko

Rainy seasonsOne each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it
When the rains are expectedMarch 2026 to December 2026
Rain in a typical yearAbout 1,190 mm
This season's rainRain close to usual — plan around about 1,190 mm falling roughly when it always does
This season's heatHotter than usual — about +1.4 °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 supportsenough rain for a long crop, or two in a year, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season
Ground this covers3 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 39% of this area.
39% enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 294 growing days · about 1,260 mm · March to December
31% enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 344 growing days · about 1,590 mm · February to January
27% enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 314 growing days · about 1,430 mm · February to December

last updated 16 September 2026

What grows in Bench Sheko

39% lowland, humid, warm, one season — 64 crops

31% highland, humid, warm — 55 crops

27% lowland, humid, warm, rain year-round — 66 crops

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 Divisi would not plant in Bench Sheko

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.

  • Chickpea Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Cabbage Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Garlic Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Teff Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Coconut Unsuitable — Temperature

Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 5 came back without a sowing date.

Plan the season, not just check it

The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Bench Sheko, 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 first

What changed in Bench Sheko

  • 31 August 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Planting window moved, now opens 25 Jul 2026
  • 31 August 2026 Cabbage — Suitability class changed, now rates Moderate
  • 31 August 2026 Cabbage — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Apr 2026
  • 31 August 2026 Sweet Orange — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Apr 2026
  • 31 August 2026 Maize — Planting window moved, now opens 2 Jul 2026

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.

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Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Bench Sheko?

Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Mango, Pearl millet all rate well in Bench Sheko — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Lemon in Bench Sheko?

In Bench Sheko the window for Lemon runs 15 Mar 2026 to 23 Sep 2026.

Is there a farming app that works in Bench Sheko?

Divisi does. It reads Bench Sheko'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 Bench Sheko, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.

Keep going

The district's answer is one question. What each crop needs, what attacks it and where to sell it are the others.

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