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What grows in Kalahari

Omaheke, Namibia

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Map showing the boundary of Kalahari

The 2026 season in Kalahari

Rainy seasonsOne each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it
When the rains are expectedJanuary 2026 to April 2026
Rain in a typical yearAbout 382 mm
This season's rainLeaning dry — January and February 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 heatHotter than usual — about +2.3 °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 short crop, and only if timed to it, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season
Ground this covers3 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 22% of this area.
64% too dry for rain-fed cropping without irrigation; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season no rain-fed season · about 330 mm
22% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 84 growing days · about 370 mm · January to March
11% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 86 growing days · about 380 mm · January to April

last updated 17 September 2026

What grows in Kalahari

22% lowland, semi-arid, warm — 36 crops

11% highland, semi-arid, warm — 36 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 Kalahari 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 Kalahari

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.

  • Soybean Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Garlic Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Groundnut Moderate — Water
  • Moringa Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Papaya Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Rice Moderate — Water
  • Avocado Unsuitable — Water
  • Banana Unsuitable — Water
  • Cabbage Unsuitable — Water
  • Cashew Unsuitable — Water
  • Cassava Unsuitable — Water
  • Chickpea Unsuitable — Water
  • Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
  • Coconut Unsuitable — Water
  • Taro Unsuitable — Water
  • Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
  • Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
  • Cotton Unsuitable — Water
  • Enset Unsuitable — Water
  • Ginger Unsuitable — Water
  • Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
  • Guava Unsuitable — Water
  • Lemon Unsuitable — Water
  • Lime Unsuitable — Water
  • Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
  • Mango Unsuitable — Water
  • Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
  • Pigeon pea Unsuitable — Water
  • Pineapple Unsuitable — Water
  • Roselle Unsuitable — Water
  • Sesame Unsuitable — Water
  • Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
  • Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
  • Tea Unsuitable — Water
  • Teff Unsuitable — Water
  • Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
  • Yam Unsuitable — Water

Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 38 came back without a sowing date.

Plan the season, not just check it

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

Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Kalahari?

Lablab, Niger seed, Sunflower, Watermelon, Cucumber all rate well in Kalahari — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Lablab in Kalahari?

In Kalahari the window for Lablab runs 17 Dec 2026 to 27 Dec 2026.

Is there a farming app that works in Kalahari?

Divisi does. It reads Kalahari'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 Kalahari, 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.

Crop guides Pest guides Disease guides Where to sell it Farming glossary Farming insights Read the Hive Feed How the advice is made