What grows in Cahora Bassa
Tete, Moçambique
The 2026/27 season in Cahora Bassa
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | November 2026 to April 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 760 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January 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 +1.5 °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 Cahora Bassa
-
CashewFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 28 Feb 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 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLimited rooting depth -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Common beanFavourablePlant 10 Nov 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
45.1–45.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 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 optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
· about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 1 Mar 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
· about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
· about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 10 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 30 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
· about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
· about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
FonioFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
· about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
· about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 19 Jan 2027 – 18 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CucumberFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 12 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
· about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 9 Jan 2027 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 21 May 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LablabFavourablePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 10 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 9 Jan 2027 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 19 Jan 2027 – 8 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
-
CottonFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spotLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 2 Nov 2026 – 22 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 30 Nov 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spotLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.5 t/ha expected
· about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GuavaFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
13.5–16.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RiceFavourablePlant 22 Nov 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 11 Dec 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CassavaFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
KaleFavourablePlant 22 Nov 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
LettuceModeratePlant 19 Feb 2027 – 11 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 25.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spotEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
YamModeratePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this cropLate-maturing — drought risk
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 Cahora Bassa 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 111.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 64.8 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 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 -
Oil palmFavourable 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 optimum -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 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 1.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet orangeFavourable 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 -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 30 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 21 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 33 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 21 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-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 -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 10 May 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.3 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 7 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 7 Dec 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 10 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 11 Apr 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 28 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 -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable
What Divisi would not plant in Cahora Bassa
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.
- Lime Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Mandarin Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Grapefruit Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sweet orange Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pineapple Moderate — Water
- Turmeric Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Irish potato Unsuitable
- Lemon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Swiss chard Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 31 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Cahora Bassa, 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 Cahora Bassa
- 31 August 2026 Beetroot — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Slope / terrain
- 31 August 2026 Beetroot — Planting window moved, now opens 21 Dec 2026
- 31 August 2026 Tobacco — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Slope / terrain
- 31 August 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Slope / terrain
- 31 August 2026 Teff — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Slope / terrain
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
-
Kanengo Auction Floors
245 km · Tobacco
-
Mbare Musika
285 km · Tomato, Maize, Cabbage, Onion
-
Boka Tobacco Auction Floors
289 km · Tobacco
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 Cahora Bassa?
Cashew, Groundnut, Maize, Mango, Sorghum all rate well in Cahora Bassa — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cashew in Cahora Bassa?
In Cahora Bassa the window for Cashew runs 31 Oct 2026 to 28 Feb 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Cahora Bassa?
Divisi does. It reads Cahora Bassa'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 Cahora Bassa, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.