What grows in Mandera South
Mandera, Kenya
The 2026 season in Mandera South
| Rain in a typical year | About 309 mm |
|---|---|
| This season's rain | Leaning wet — make sure water can drain off the field. |
| 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 | 2 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 90% of this area. |
| 90% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 82 growing days · about 320 mm |
|---|---|
| 9% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 91 growing days · about 360 mm · October to December |
last updated 30 September 2026
What grows in Mandera South
Divisi found no rain-fed growing season at this point — the rain here does not reliably carry a crop through one. These dates are what the calendar would be if it did, and the irrigated list below is the dependable answer.
9% lowland, semi-arid, warm, one season — 34 crops
-
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 6 Oct 2026 – 5 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
8.4–9.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 5 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
17.8–20.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 40.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.6–1.8 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 -
Green gramFavourablePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
0.9–1.1 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 -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
21.0–24.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
OkraFavourablePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 26 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
5.5–6.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
9.6–11.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Common beanFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
0.7–0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 26 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
5.1–6.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
13.4–15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
SorghumFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.5 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 -
LablabFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2027 – 26 Sep 2027 opens in 50 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 2.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 30.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
CottonFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TomatoFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 70.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
CarrotFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
SesameFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RoselleFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
EggplantModeratePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
MaizeModeratePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 10.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionModerate
Plant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 33.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
RiceModeratePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 7.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceModeratePlant 6 Oct 2026 – 26 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 15.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
ChilliModeratePlant 16 Sep 2027 – 25 Sep 2027 opens in 50 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range
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 Mandera South 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 120.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PapayaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 70.0 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 70.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 60.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 40.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
MandarinFavourable 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 — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
CassavaFavourable 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLimited rooting depth -
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MoringaFavourable 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.0 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 25.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
MangoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CashewFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Pigeon peaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLimited rooting depth -
CocoaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.0 t/ha expected
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)Correctable with liming -
CoconutFavourable 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLimited rooting depth -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
KaleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 36.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)
What Divisi would not plant in Mandera South
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.
- Papaya Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pigeon pea Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Moringa Moderate — Water
- Kale Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Avocado Unsuitable — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Water
- Cashew Unsuitable — Water
- Cassava Unsuitable — Water
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Water
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Coconut Unsuitable — Water
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable — Water
- Garlic Unsuitable — Water
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
- Guava Unsuitable — Water
- Irish potato Unsuitable — Water
- Lemon Unsuitable — Water
- Lime Unsuitable — Water
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Mango Unsuitable — Water
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Water
- Pineapple Unsuitable — Water
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Water
- Swiss chard Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable — Water
- Teff Unsuitable — Water
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
- Wheat Unsuitable — Water
- Yam Unsuitable — Water
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 40 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Mandera South, 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 Mandera South
- 1 September 2026 Cucumber — Crop became recommendable
- 1 September 2026 Jute Mallow — Crop became recommendable
- 1 September 2026 Okra — 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.
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 Mandera South?
Cucumber, Jute mallow, African nightshade, Common bean, Cowpea all rate well in Mandera South — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cucumber in Mandera South?
In Mandera South the window for Cucumber runs 16 Oct 2026 to 5 Nov 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Mandera South?
Divisi does. It reads Mandera South'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 Mandera South, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.