What grows in Sainte Marie
Analanjirofo, Madagascar
The 2025 season in Sainte Marie
| When the rains are expected | September 2025 to September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Rain in a typical year | About 3,008 mm |
| This season's rain | Rain close to usual — plan around about 3,008 mm falling roughly when it always does |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +0.7 °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 | 2 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 55% of this area. |
| 55% | enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 365 growing days · about 3,050 mm · September to September |
|---|---|
| 45% | enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 365 growing days · about 3,050 mm · September to September |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in Sainte Marie
55% lowland, humid, warm — 65 crops
-
TaroFavourablePlant 10 Jun 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
19.5–19.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 29.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 May 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.9–2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLimited rooting depth -
SugarcaneFavourablePlant 1 May 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
83.0–83.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 111.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
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 — manageable -
BananaFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
27.3–27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 55.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2025 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
22.7–23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
MandarinFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
· about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
MoringaFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 21 May 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 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 -
LimeFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
16.6–16.7 t/ha expected
· about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Oil palmFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 19.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CoconutFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2025 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLimited rooting depth -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.9 t/ha expected
· about 36.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PapayaFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
45.5–45.8 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 -
CassavaFavourablePlant 1 May 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLimited rooting depth -
TurmericFavourablePlant 29 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
YamFavourablePlant 29 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LemonFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 33.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SorghumFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CottonFavourablePlant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 May 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
LablabFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLimited rooting depth -
GuavaFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 1 week
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 -
MangoFavourablePlant 18 Sep 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 open now
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 -
Robusta coffeeFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChilliFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 21 May 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
MaizeFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 1 week
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 21 May 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RoselleFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 21 May 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SesameFavourablePlant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 May 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CashewFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 4 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 -
CocoaFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 21 May 2027 opens in 4 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 -
TomatoFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 61.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CarrotFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
EggplantFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CucumberFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RiceFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 21 May 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OkraFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 21 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 21 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
· about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
KaleFavourablePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
· about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
· about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionFavourable
Plant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
· about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 10 Jun 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
· about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GingerFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
· about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
· about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 21 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
· about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 13.2 t/ha
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)Correctable with liming -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Arabica coffeeFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LettuceFavourablePlant 10 Jun 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.6 t/ha expected
· about 23.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)
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 Sainte Marie
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.
- Avocado Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable — Temperature
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 9 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Sainte Marie, 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 Sainte Marie
- 31 August 2026 Yam — Planting window moved, now opens 4 Jul 2026
- 31 August 2026 Sesame — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 31 August 2026 Banana Plantain — Limiting factor changed
- 31 August 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Limiting factor changed
- 31 August 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
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 Sainte Marie?
Banana, Cassava, Coconut, Taro, Grapefruit all rate well in Sainte Marie — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Banana in Sainte Marie?
In Sainte Marie the window for Banana runs 8 Oct 2026 to 10 Jun 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Sainte Marie?
Divisi does. It reads Sainte Marie'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 Sainte Marie, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.