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What grows in Nkhatabay

Northern, Malawi

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Map showing the boundary of Nkhatabay

The 2026/27 season in Nkhatabay

Rainy seasonsOne each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it
When the rains are expectedNovember 2026 to June 2027
Rain in a typical yearAbout 1,125 mm
This season's rainRain close to usual — plan around about 1,125 mm falling roughly when it always does
This season's heatHotter than usual — about +1.3 °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 full main crop, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season
Ground this covers2 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 81% of this area.
81% enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 246 growing days · about 1,310 mm · November to July
19% enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 217 growing days · about 1,070 mm · November to June

last updated 17 September 2026

What grows in Nkhatabay

81% lowland, sub-humid, warm — 58 crops

19% highland, sub-humid, warm — 43 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 Nkhatabay 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 Nkhatabay

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
  • Cassava Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Robusta coffee Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Cotton Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Egusi melon Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Enset Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Turmeric Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Yam 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
  • Taro Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Sugarcane Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Ginger Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
  • Cocoa Unsuitable
  • Coconut Unsuitable — Temperature
  • Oil palm Unsuitable

Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 16 came back without a sowing date.

Plan the season, not just check it

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

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

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Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Nkhatabay?

Avocado, Guava, Mango, Sweet orange, Lemon all rate well in Nkhatabay — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Avocado in Nkhatabay?

In Nkhatabay the window for Avocado runs 16 Oct 2026 to 5 Mar 2027.

Is there a farming app that works in Nkhatabay?

Divisi does. It reads Nkhatabay'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 Nkhatabay, 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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