What grows in Mali
Labe, Guinée
The 2026 season in Mali
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | May 2026 to November 2026 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 1,028 mm |
| This season's rain | Rain close to usual — plan around about 1,028 mm falling roughly when it always does |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +1.1 °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 full main crop, 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 Mali
-
CashewFavourablePlant 6 May 2026 – 23 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 28 May 2026 – 26 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 26 May 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 34 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 5 Jun 2027 – 13 Sep 2027 opens in 35 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 26 May 2027 – 14 Aug 2027 opens in 34 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 5 Jun 2027 – 14 Aug 2027 opens in 35 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 5 Jun 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 35 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
34.8–35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanFavourablePlant 16 May 2027 – 3 Sep 2027 opens in 32 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CottonFavourablePlant 6 May 2027 – 25 Jun 2027 opens in 31 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 26 May 2027 – 13 Sep 2027 opens in 34 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CucumberFavourablePlant 15 Jun 2027 – 3 Sep 2027 opens in 37 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
EggplantFavourablePlant 16 May 2027 – 25 Jul 2027 opens in 32 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 5 Jun 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 35 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 5 Jun 2027 – 15 Jul 2027 opens in 35 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioFavourablePlant 5 Jun 2027 – 14 Aug 2027 opens in 35 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 16 May 2027 – 13 Sep 2027 opens in 32 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 6 May 2027 – 4 Aug 2027 opens in 31 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GuavaFavourablePlant 6 May 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 31 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChilliFavourablePlant 16 May 2027 – 25 Jun 2027 opens in 32 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LablabFavourablePlant 5 Jun 2027 – 14 Aug 2027 opens in 35 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 6 May 2027 – 25 Jul 2027 opens in 31 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 8.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 11 May 2027 – 19 Aug 2027 opens in 32 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 31 May 2027 – 10 Jul 2027 opens in 35 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
19.5–19.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OkraFavourablePlant 29 May 2027 – 16 Sep 2027 opens in 34 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 14.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PapayaFavourablePlant 19 May 2027 – 18 Jul 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 6 May 2027 – 13 Sep 2027 opens in 31 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 9 May 2027 – 8 Jun 2027 opens in 31 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLimited rooting depth -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 5 Jun 2027 – 3 Sep 2027 opens in 35 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RiceFavourablePlant 5 Jun 2027 – 25 Jul 2027 opens in 35 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RoselleFavourablePlant 26 May 2027 – 25 Jul 2027 opens in 34 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SesameFavourablePlant 16 May 2027 – 4 Aug 2027 opens in 32 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 16 May 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 32 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 6 May 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 31 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 5 Jun 2027 – 3 Sep 2027 opens in 35 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Soil pH below the crop's optimum -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 16 May 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 32 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 26 May 2027 – 14 Aug 2027 opens in 34 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 61.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 5 Jun 2027 – 13 Sep 2027 opens in 35 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionFavourable
Plant 30 May 2027 – 8 Aug 2027 opens in 34 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 29.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 19 May 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CassavaFavourablePlant 11 May 2027 – 31 May 2027 opens in 32 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLimited rooting depth -
KaleFavourablePlant 29 May 2027 – 8 Jul 2027 opens in 34 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 31.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
LettuceModeratePlant 8 Jul 2027 – 28 Jul 2027 opens in 40 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 14.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
YamModeratePlant 9 May 2027 – 29 May 2027 opens in 31 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this crop
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 Mali with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 111.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 64.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 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 52.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CocoaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 36 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 21.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.9 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 23.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum
What Divisi would not plant in Mali
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.
- Lime Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Mandarin Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Irish potato Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Lemon Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sweet orange Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Swiss chard Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Grapefruit Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pineapple Moderate — Water
- Turmeric Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Ginger Moderate — Water
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Coconut Unsuitable — Water
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 31 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Mali, 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 Mali
- 31 August 2026 Banana Plantain — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 31 August 2026 Banana Plantain — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Jun 2027
- 31 August 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Limiting factor changed
- 31 August 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 31 August 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Jun 2027
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 Mali?
Cashew, Jute mallow, African eggplant, African nightshade, Amaranth all rate well in Mali — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cashew in Mali?
In Mali the window for Cashew runs 6 May 2026 to 23 Sep 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Mali?
Divisi does. It reads Mali'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 Mali, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.