What grows in Gboko
Benue, Nigeria
The 2026 season in Gboko
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | March 2026 to November 2026 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 1,464 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — September and October 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 +0.9 °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 full main crop, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | One kind of ground throughout. |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Gboko
-
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 1 May 2026 – 22 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
· about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CashewFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2026 – 4 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 -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 7 Apr 2026 – 22 Sep 2026 closed for this season
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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 26 Mar 2026 – 22 Sep 2026 closed for this season
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 below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 11 Apr 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 9 Apr 2026 – 25 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 26 Mar 2026 – 22 Sep 2026 closed for this season
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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 1 May 2026 – 22 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
· about 13.9 t/ha
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 25 Mar 2026 – 17 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 25 Mar 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 7 Apr 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 11 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 3 Apr 2027 – 31 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 25 Mar 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 18 May 2027 – 17 Aug 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
· about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 21 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 23 Apr 2027 – 22 Jul 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 26 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 11 Aug 2027 opens in 24 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 -
GuavaFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 21 Aug 2027 opens in 24 weeks
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 — manageable -
LablabFavourablePlant 23 Apr 2027 – 21 Aug 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LimeFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 21 Aug 2027 opens in 24 weeks
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 -
MaizeFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 11 Aug 2027 opens in 24 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 — manageable -
MandarinFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 21 Aug 2027 opens in 24 weeks
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 below the crop's optimum -
MangoFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 21 Aug 2027 opens in 24 weeks
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 — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 3 Apr 2027 – 1 Aug 2027 opens in 26 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 -
PapayaFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 1 Aug 2027 opens in 25 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 -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 27 Apr 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceFavourablePlant 13 Apr 2027 – 11 Aug 2027 opens in 28 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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 11 Aug 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 31 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
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 below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 21 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
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 below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 25 Mar 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 3 Apr 2027 – 21 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 22 Jun 2027 opens in 24 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) -
EggplantFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 22 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 22 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 12 Jun 2027 opens in 24 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 -
RoselleFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 22 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 13 Apr 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
· about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 13 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 3 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionFavourable
Plant 5 Apr 2027 – 26 Aug 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 32.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PineappleFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 3 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 39.6 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 -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 31 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CassavaFavourablePlant 15 Mar 2027 – 4 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 23 Apr 2027 – 22 Jul 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 33.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
SugarcaneFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 3 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 48.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 111.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 3 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GingerFavourablePlant 4 Apr 2027 – 13 Apr 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 21 May 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
LettuceModeratePlant 13 Jun 2027 – 4 Aug 2027 opens in 37 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.2 t/ha expected
· about 12.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
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 Gboko with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
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 — 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 — manageable -
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 — 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 2.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
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 — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CoconutFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable
What Divisi would not plant in Gboko
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.
- Coconut Moderate — Water
- Taro Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable — Temperature
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Temperature
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable — Temperature
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- 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 — Temperature
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 23 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Gboko, 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 Gboko
- 2 September 2026 Amaranth — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Amaranth — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Chickpea — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Chickpea — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Chickpea — Planting window moved, now opens 12 Jun 2027
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
-
Marché de Foumbot
273 km · Tomato, Cabbage, Carrot, Sweet pepper
-
Onitsha Main Market
293 km · Yam, Cassava, Rice, Maize
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 Gboko?
African nightshade, Cashew, Cowpea, Green gram, Jute mallow all rate well in Gboko — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African nightshade in Gboko?
In Gboko the window for African nightshade runs 1 May 2026 to 22 Sep 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Gboko?
Divisi does. It reads Gboko'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 Gboko, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.