What grows in Nambale
Busia, Kenya
The 2026/27 season in Nambale
| When the rains are expected | February 2026 to January 2027 |
|---|---|
| Rain in a typical year | About 1,416 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning wet — January, February, November and December look heavier than usual. Make sure water can drain off the field; a wet year does more damage through waterlogging and disease than through the rain itself. |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +1.0 °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 a long crop, or two in a year, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | One kind of ground throughout. |
last updated 30 September 2026
What grows in Nambale
-
CashewFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 open now
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 -
CassavaFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.0 t/ha expected
· about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
22.1–22.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LemonFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
22.9–23.2 t/ha expected
· about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LimeFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
· about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.4 t/ha expected
· about 28.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MangoFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
17.9–18.0 t/ha expected
· about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
· about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PineappleFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 50.9 t/ha expected
· about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
23.0–23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TurmericFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
YamFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CottonFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Arabica coffeeFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Robusta coffeeFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GuavaFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChilliFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
LablabFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RoselleFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
AvocadoFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 20.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BananaFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 55.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 11 Apr 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
· about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CarrotFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CocoaFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CucumberFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
EggplantFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.0 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 -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OkraFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionFavourable
Plant 2 Mar 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PapayaFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
KaleFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RiceFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SesameFavourablePlant 20 Jul 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 42 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 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 -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TaroFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GingerFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceFavourablePlant 11 Apr 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.8 t/ha expected
· about 25.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Oil palmFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 19.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SugarcaneFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 48.7 t/ha expected
· about 78.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum
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 Nambale
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.
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Coconut Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable — Temperature
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 8 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Nambale, 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 Nambale
- 2 September 2026 Amaranth — Limiting factor changed
- 2 September 2026 Amaranth — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Chickpea — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Chickpea — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Mango — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
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.
Where to sell it nearby
-
Mbale Central Market
68 km · Groundnut, Cassava, Banana & plantain, Maize
-
Kibuye Market
84 km · Maize, Sorghum, Common bean, Tomato
-
Kitale Market
100 km · Maize, Common bean, Sunflower, Soybean
Support and extension
- Agricultural Finance Corporation Credit
- National Fertilizer Subsidy Programme
- Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
- Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Nambale?
Cashew, Cassava, Finger millet, Grapefruit, Lemon all rate well in Nambale — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cashew in Nambale?
In Nambale the window for Cashew runs 10 Feb 2026 to 7 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Nambale?
Divisi does. It reads Nambale'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 Nambale, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.