What grows in Mapai
Gaza, Moçambique
The 2026/27 season in Mapai
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | November 2026 to March 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 429 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January, February, November and December look short of rain. Plant at the early end of the window, favour quicker and more drought-tolerant crops, and keep moisture in the soil: mulch, and weed early. |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +1.9 °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 one short crop, and only if timed to it, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | One kind of ground throughout. |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in Mapai
-
LablabFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.4–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CashewFavourablePlant 20 Nov 2026 – 8 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.0–1.2 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 -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.0–2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.9–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
16.4–20.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.8–0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 22 Nov 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.8–3.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanFavourablePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 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 -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Green gramFavourablePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 29 Nov 2026 – 28 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
7.0–8.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 29 Nov 2026 – 7 Feb 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2025 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 20 Dec 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 2 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 31 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2025 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 9 Jan 2027 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2025 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CottonFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 8 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 seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
MangoFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 8.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
PapayaFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 19 Nov 2026 – 18 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 9.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CarrotFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MaizeFavourablePlant 22 Nov 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RiceFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2025 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 23 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2025 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 19 Feb 2027 – 28 Feb 2027 opens in 20 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CassavaFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
EggplantFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 29 Nov 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 2 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 2 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
OnionModerate
Plant 23 Nov 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
KaleModeratePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
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 Mapai with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
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 — manageable -
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 — manageable -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 111.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 55.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 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 23.2 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 64.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 36.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 41.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.7 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
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 — manageable -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.6 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 1.9 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 Jan 2027 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 48.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CoconutFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.3 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk
What Divisi would not plant in Mapai
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.
- Moringa Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pineapple Moderate — Water
- Lettuce Moderate — Temperature
- Avocado Unsuitable
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Coconut Unsuitable — Water
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
- Guava Unsuitable — Water
- Irish potato Unsuitable
- Lemon Unsuitable — Water
- Lime Unsuitable — Water
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Swiss chard Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
- Yam Unsuitable — Water
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 35 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Mapai, 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
Support and extension
- Programa de Desenvolvimento Inclusivo de Cadeias de Valor Agro-Alimentares
- SUSTENTA
- Autoridade Nacional de Sementes
- Direcção Nacional de Extensão Agrária
- Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Moçambique
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Mapai?
Lablab, Cashew, Groundnut, Pearl millet, Pumpkin all rate well in Mapai — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Lablab in Mapai?
In Mapai the window for Lablab runs 11 Nov 2026 to 21 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Mapai?
Divisi does. It reads Mapai'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 Mapai, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.