What grows in Mpungu
Kavango West, Namibia
The 2026/27 season in Mpungu
| 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 632 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January, February 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 +1.8 °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 Mpungu
-
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.4–2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
FonioFavourablePlant 29 Nov 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.7–1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
3.1–3.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.6–2.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
32.1–32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.7–2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 9 Dec 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 9 Dec 2026 – 28 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 9 Dec 2026 – 9 Mar 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 9 Dec 2026 – 28 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 8 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Common beanFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 1 Mar 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CashewFavourablePlant 19 Nov 2026 – 27 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MangoFavourablePlant 19 Nov 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 34.3 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 -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 6 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 6 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 26 Dec 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 29 Jan 2027 – 7 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 25.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.7 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 optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 19 Nov 2026 – 9 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 19 Nov 2026 – 9 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 21.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
MoringaFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.8 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 -
RiceFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceFavourablePlant 16 Feb 2027 – 8 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CassavaFavourablePlant 30 Oct 2026 – 19 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 31.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
KaleFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-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 Mpungu 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 -
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 -
LemonFavourable 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 -
Sweet orangeFavourable 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 -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 107.6 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 53.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 11 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourable 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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 20 Jul 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 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 43.9 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Sweet pepperFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 22 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 -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 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 -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's range
What Divisi would not plant in Mpungu
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.
- Sweet potato Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pineapple Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
- Guava Unsuitable — Water
- Lemon Unsuitable — Water
- Lime Unsuitable — Water
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet pepper 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; 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 Mpungu, 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
-
Rundu Fresh Produce Business Hub
186 km · Maize, Pearl millet, Tomato, Cabbage
-
Ongwediva Fresh Produce Business Hub
238 km · Pearl millet, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Mpungu?
Pearl millet, Fonio, Lablab, Sorghum, Finger millet all rate well in Mpungu — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Pearl millet in Mpungu?
In Mpungu the window for Pearl millet runs 18 Nov 2026 to 27 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Mpungu?
Divisi does. It reads Mpungu'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 Mpungu, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.