What grows in Otjinene
Omaheke, Namibia
These figures also cover Okakarara, where the engine returns the same answer.
The 2026/27 season in Otjinene
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | December 2026 to April 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 450 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 +2.1 °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 Otjinene
-
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.8–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 20 Dec 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LablabFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.9–2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.6–3.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 4.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.6–1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.2–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Green gramFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.0–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 30 Dec 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
15.9–18.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 30 Dec 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.7–2.0 t/ha expected
· about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 30 Dec 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
23.4–27.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 9 Jan 2027 – 28 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
16.8–19.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 3 Jan 2027 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
7.6–9.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
FonioFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MaizeFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TomatoFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 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 outside the crop's range -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CarrotFavourablePlant 30 Dec 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 4 Jan 2027 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
OkraFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionFavourable
Plant 27 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 4 Jan 2027 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 30 Jan 2027 · about 30.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
WheatFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 23 Feb 2027 – 4 Mar 2027 opens in 21 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 12.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 14 Jan 2027 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 17.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 5 Dec 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
EggplantFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
ChilliFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
RoselleFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 1.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 1 May 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
SesameModeratePlant 5 Dec 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 1.5 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
RiceModeratePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceModeratePlant 15 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
KaleModeratePlant 20 Dec 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 9 Aug 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 Otjinene 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 -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)Correctable with liming -
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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 25 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 -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 64.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 20 Jul 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
MangoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
-
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 20 Jul 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)Correctable with liming -
CottonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
MoringaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.4 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.3 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's range -
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.8 t/ha expected
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)Correctable with liming -
PapayaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 51.0 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LimeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.2 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)
What Divisi would not plant in Otjinene
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 Moderate — Water
- Papaya Moderate
- Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
- Cassava Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cashew Unsuitable — Water
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable
- Cotton Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
- Guava Unsuitable — Water
- Lemon Unsuitable — Water
- Lime Unsuitable — Water
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Mango Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Pigeon pea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Pineapple Unsuitable
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
- Yam Unsuitable — Water
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 33 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Otjinene, 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 Otjinene
- 31 August 2026 Jute Mallow — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Cashew — Crop became recommendable
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 Otjinene?
Egusi melon, Finger millet, Lablab, Pearl millet, Sorghum all rate well in Otjinene — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Egusi melon in Otjinene?
In Otjinene the window for Egusi melon runs 17 Dec 2026 to 6 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Otjinene?
Divisi does. It reads Otjinene'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 Otjinene, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.