What grows in Turkana South
Turkana, Kenya
The 2027 season in Turkana South
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | March 2027 to August 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 531 mm |
| This season's rain | Rain close to usual — plan around about 531 mm falling roughly when it always does |
| 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 7% of this area. |
| 92% | too dry for rain-fed cropping without irrigation; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season no rain-fed season · about 350 mm |
|---|---|
| 7% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 145 growing days · about 540 mm · March to August |
last updated 30 September 2026
What grows in Turkana South
7% lowland, semi-arid, warm — 30 crops
-
CashewFavourablePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
PineappleFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 2 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
30.9–33.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 56.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
MangoFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 22 May 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 20.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 13 Apr 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
4.9–6.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
CucumberFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 13 Apr 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
11.1–13.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 14.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 2 Jun 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 13 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
14.3–17.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 18.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 13 May 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.0–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 3 Apr 2027 – 23 May 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
LablabFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 13 May 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.8–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 13 May 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.4–0.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 2 Jun 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
9.5–11.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 12.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
Green gramFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 2 Jun 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 13 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 13 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CottonFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 3 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 23 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
SorghumFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 3 May 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
SoybeanModeratePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 21 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.7 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 -
Bambara groundnutModeratePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 21 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TobaccoModeratePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 21 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African nightshadeModeratePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RoselleModeratePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 21 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
OkraModeratePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet potatoModeratePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 21 May 2027 · about 12.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantModeratePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Irish potatoModeratePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 21 Apr 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 16.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SesameModeratePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
African eggplantModeratePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 21 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 12.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioModeratePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 21 Apr 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil 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 grows in Turkana South with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 48.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
GuavaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
MoringaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
LimeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
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 optimumSteep slope -
Arabica coffeeFavourable 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) -
CocoaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 83.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
PapayaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 44.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
CassavaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
TaroFavourable 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Pigeon peaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
TomatoModerate Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
EggplantModerate Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
CarrotModerate Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Swiss chardModerate Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
OnionModerate Needs irrigation
Plant 10 Feb 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
GingerModerate Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
AmaranthModerate Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
TurmericModerate Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.1 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
ChilliModerate Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
YamModerate Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.2 t/ha expected
Steep slope -
MaizeModerate Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
RiceModerate 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 — manageableSteep slope -
GroundnutModerate Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
KaleModerate Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Sweet pepperModerate Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
LettuceModerate Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope
What Divisi would not plant in Turkana 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.
- Amaranth Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Beetroot Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Carrot Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Cassava Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Eggplant Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Groundnut Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Chilli Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Maize Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Papaya Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Passion fruit 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
- Sweet pepper 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
- Tomato Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Lettuce Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Moringa Moderate — Water
- Onion Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Kale Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Rice Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Avocado Unsuitable — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage 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
- Lemon Unsuitable — Water
- Lime Unsuitable — Water
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange 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; 44 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Turkana 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 firstThis 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
-
Kitale Market
125 km · Maize, Common bean, Sunflower, Soybean
-
Eldoret Market
161 km · Maize, Wheat, Irish potato, Common bean
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 Turkana South?
Cashew, Common bean, Cotton, Cowpea, Cucumber all rate well in Turkana South — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cashew in Turkana South?
In Turkana South the window for Cashew runs 12 Mar 2027 to 30 Jun 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Turkana South?
Divisi does. It reads Turkana 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 Turkana 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.