What grows in Ukwa East
Abia, Nigeria
These figures also cover Etim Ekpo, Ika and Ukwa West, where the engine returns the same answer.
The 2026 season in Ukwa East
| When the rains are expected | February 2026 to December 2026 |
|---|---|
| Rain in a typical year | About 2,709 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — February, September, October 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 +0.6 °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 a long crop, or two in a year, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | 2 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 93% of this area. |
| 93% | enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 329 growing days · about 2,720 mm · February to December |
|---|---|
| 7% | enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 331 growing days · about 3,010 mm · January to December |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Ukwa East
93% lowland, humid, warm — 57 crops
-
GuavaFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2026 – 23 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2026 – 27 Oct 2026 open now
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 13 Feb 2026 – 11 Oct 2026 open now
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 -
CashewFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2026 – 27 Oct 2026 open now
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 — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
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 — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2026 – 23 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TomatoFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2026 – 23 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 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 (lime) -
CarrotFavourablePlant 12 Feb 2026 – 25 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2026 – 11 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 12 Feb 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CucumberFavourablePlant 28 Apr 2026 – 7 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
· about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 27 Feb 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
· about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
MandarinFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2026 – 23 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 13 Feb 2026 – 25 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 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 -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 1 Mar 2026 – 11 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
· about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
LimeFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2026 – 23 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
MangoFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2026 – 23 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 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 optimum -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 15 Feb 2026 – 25 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 5 Mar 2026 – 25 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 3 Mar 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
· about 13.9 t/ha
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)Correctable with liming -
SorghumFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2026 – 23 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2026 – 23 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 12 Feb 2026 – 25 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 12 Feb 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 25 Feb 2026 – 23 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 25 Feb 2027 – 26 Aug 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 29 Mar 2027 – 10 Sep 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 17 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
FonioFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 10 Sep 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 10 Sep 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PapayaFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 26 Aug 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 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 -
BananaFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 26 Aug 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 55.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Oil palmFavourablePlant 25 Feb 2027 – 26 Aug 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 19.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RiceFavourablePlant 25 Feb 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CocoaFavourablePlant 9 Feb 2027 – 8 Aug 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Robusta coffeeFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 29 Mar 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PineappleFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 17 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 50.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 17 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SugarcaneFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 17 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 78.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 111.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CoconutFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 17 Feb 2027 opens in 17 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 optimum -
CassavaFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 17 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 17 Jul 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 20 Aug 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TurmericFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 18 May 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 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 optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 18 May 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 23 Jul 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CottonFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 23 Jul 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
RoselleFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 20 Aug 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourablePlant 19 Mar 2027 – 8 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
· about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
OnionFavourable
Plant 13 Feb 2027 – 11 Sep 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 31.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TaroFavourablePlant 29 Jan 2027 – 18 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.9 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 optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 22 Apr 2027 – 27 Jul 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 36.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 18 Apr 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
LettuceFavourablePlant 13 Jun 2027 – 3 Aug 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.6 t/ha expected
· about 14.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)
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 Divisi would not plant in Ukwa East
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.
- Avocado Unsuitable — Temperature
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable — Temperature
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Irish potato Unsuitable
- Lemon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Temperature
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Swiss chard Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 17 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Ukwa East, 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 Ukwa East
- 2 September 2026 Bambara Groundnut — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Bambara Groundnut — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Mandarin — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Mandarin — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Finger Millet — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
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
-
Onitsha Main Market
150 km · Yam, Cassava, Rice, Maize
-
Ogbete Main Market
167 km · Yam, Cassava, Cocoyam / Taro, Rice
-
Marché Mboppi
275 km · Banana & plantain, Cassava, Cocoyam / Taro, Tomato
Support and extension
- Bank of Agriculture credit facilities
- National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket
- Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria
- Institute for Agricultural Research
- National Agricultural Seed Council
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Ukwa East?
African eggplant, African nightshade, Amaranth, Carrot, Cashew all rate well in Ukwa East — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African eggplant in Ukwa East?
In Ukwa East the window for African eggplant runs 12 Feb 2026 to 10 Oct 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Ukwa East?
Divisi does. It reads Ukwa East'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 Ukwa East, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.