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What grows in Kathiani

Machakos, Kenya

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Map showing the boundary of Kathiani

The 2026/27 season in Kathiani

Rainy seasonsTwo each year — two chances to plant
When the rains are expectedOctober 2026 to January 2027
Rain in a typical yearAbout 644 mm
This season's rainLeaning wet — January, February, October, 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 heatHotter 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 supportsenough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season
Ground this covers4 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 42% of this area.
42% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 172 growing days · about 630 mm · October to January
21% enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 230 growing days · about 820 mm · October to June
11% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 170 growing days · about 610 mm · February to May
11% enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 206 growing days · about 740 mm · February to June

last updated 30 September 2026

What grows in Kathiani

42% lowland, semi-arid, warm — 53 crops

21% highland, sub-humid, warm, one season — 54 crops

11% highland, semi-arid, warm — 47 crops

11% highland, sub-humid, warm, two seasons — 45 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 grows in Kathiani with irrigation

These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.

What Divisi would not plant in Kathiani

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.

  • Cashew 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
  • Banana Moderate — Water
  • Robusta coffee Moderate — Water
  • Sugarcane Moderate
  • Cocoa Unsuitable
  • Coconut Unsuitable
  • Taro Unsuitable — Water
  • Egusi melon Unsuitable — Temperature
  • Ginger Unsuitable — Water
  • Oil palm Unsuitable

Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 11 came back without a sowing date.

Plan the season, not just check it

The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Kathiani, 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 Kathiani

  • 31 August 2026 African Nightshade — Crop became recommendable
  • 31 August 2026 Beetroot — Crop became recommendable
  • 31 August 2026 Chickpea — Crop became recommendable
  • 31 August 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Crop became recommendable
  • 31 August 2026 Passion Fruit — 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.

Where to sell it nearby

Support and extension

Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Kathiani?

Mango, Pumpkin, Sunflower, Watermelon, African nightshade all rate well in Kathiani — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Mango in Kathiani?

In Kathiani the window for Mango runs 28 Sep 2026 to 28 Oct 2026.

Is there a farming app that works in Kathiani?

Divisi does. It reads Kathiani'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 Kathiani, 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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