What grows in Katsina-Ala
Benue, Nigeria
These figures also cover Konshisha and Oju, where the engine returns the same answer.
The 2026 season in Katsina-Ala
| 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 1,554 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 Katsina-Ala
-
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 29 Apr 2026 – 20 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 24 Mar 2026 – 2 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 5 Apr 2026 – 20 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 25 Mar 2026 – 21 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 9 Apr 2026 – 24 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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 9 Apr 2026 – 24 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 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 24 Mar 2026 – 20 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 30 Apr 2026 – 21 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 3 Apr 2027 – 4 Sep 2027 opens in 26 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 5 Apr 2027 – 27 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 11 Apr 2027 – 19 Aug 2027 opens in 27 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 14 Apr 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 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 2 Apr 2027 – 3 Sep 2027 opens in 26 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 29 May 2027 – 15 Aug 2027 opens in 34 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 11 Apr 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 27 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 25 Apr 2027 – 11 Jul 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 5 Apr 2027 – 27 Aug 2027 opens in 27 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 12 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 23 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 12 Mar 2027 – 19 Aug 2027 opens in 23 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 1 May 2027 – 19 Aug 2027 opens in 30 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 22 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 25 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 12 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 23 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 22 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 25 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 12 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 30 Jul 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 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jul 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 6 May 2027 – 4 Sep 2027 opens in 31 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceFavourablePlant 11 Apr 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 27 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 12 Mar 2027 – 2 Aug 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.0 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 22 Mar 2027 – 19 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 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 23 Mar 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 11 Apr 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 27 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 12 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 23 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 1 Apr 2027 – 30 Jul 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 23 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 1 Apr 2027 – 30 Jul 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourablePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourablePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 23 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 12 Mar 2027 – 1 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 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 3 Apr 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 31.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PineappleFavourablePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 1 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 39.5 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 23 Mar 2027 – 4 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CassavaFavourablePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 1 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 1 May 2027 – 10 Jul 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.3 t/ha expected
· about 31.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
SugarcaneFavourablePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 1 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 47.8 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 12 Mar 2027 – 1 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.2 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 -
LettuceModeratePlant 24 Jun 2027 – 2 Aug 2027 opens in 38 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.7 t/ha expected
· about 12.2 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 Katsina-Ala 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 -
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 -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk
What Divisi would not plant in Katsina-Ala
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
- Ginger Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- 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; 24 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Katsina-Ala, 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 Katsina-Ala
- 2 September 2026 Mandarin — Planting window moved, now opens 5 Aug 2026
- 2 September 2026 Beetroot — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Beetroot — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Apr 2026
- 2 September 2026 Lime — Planting window moved, now opens 5 Aug 2026
- 2 September 2026 African Eggplant — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Apr 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 Bafoussam
227 km · Tomato, Irish potato, Common bean, Maize
-
Marché de Foumbot
234 km · Tomato, Cabbage, Carrot, Sweet pepper
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 Katsina-Ala?
African nightshade, Cashew, Cowpea, Green gram, Jute mallow all rate well in Katsina-Ala — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African nightshade in Katsina-Ala?
In Katsina-Ala the window for African nightshade runs 29 Apr 2026 to 20 Sep 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Katsina-Ala?
Divisi does. It reads Katsina-Ala'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 Katsina-Ala, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.