What grows in Oturkpo
Benue, Nigeria
The 2026 season in Oturkpo
| 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 1,366 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — September looks 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 Oturkpo
-
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 18 Apr 2026 – 21 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CashewFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2026 – 3 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 -
Common beanFavourablePlant 6 Apr 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 closed for this season
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 -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 6 Apr 2026 – 21 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 10 Apr 2026 – 9 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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 10 Apr 2026 – 25 Sep 2026 closed for this season
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 -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 25 Mar 2026 – 21 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 18 Apr 2026 – 21 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 13.9 t/ha
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 26 Mar 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
· about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 5 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 6 Apr 2027 – 28 Aug 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 23 Mar 2027 – 20 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 4 Apr 2027 – 5 Sep 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 19 May 2027 – 13 Sep 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 23 Mar 2027 – 30 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 15 Apr 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 28 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 25 Mar 2027 – 28 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 10 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 13 Mar 2027 – 30 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 12 Apr 2027 – 20 Aug 2027 opens in 28 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 -
LimeFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 30 Aug 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 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MaizeFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 20 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 13 Mar 2027 – 30 Aug 2027 opens in 23 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 13 Mar 2027 – 30 Aug 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 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 2 Apr 2027 – 31 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 23 Mar 2027 – 31 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 15 Apr 2027 – 5 Sep 2027 opens in 28 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 -
RiceFavourablePlant 22 Apr 2027 – 20 Aug 2027 opens in 29 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 13 Mar 2027 – 3 Aug 2027 opens in 23 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 23 Mar 2027 – 30 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 23 Mar 2027 – 30 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 24 Mar 2027 – 5 Sep 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
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 2 Apr 2027 – 30 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 1 Jul 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 23 Mar 2027 – 31 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 1 Jul 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 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 13 Mar 2027 – 11 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 13 Mar 2027 – 31 Jul 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 12 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 12 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 13 Mar 2027 – 2 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionFavourable
Plant 4 Apr 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 26 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) -
PineappleFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 2 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 40.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 5 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
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) -
CassavaFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 3 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 22 Apr 2027 – 21 Jul 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 37.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
LettuceFavourablePlant 12 Jun 2027 – 3 Aug 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.9 t/ha expected
· about 15.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SugarcaneFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 2 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 51.6 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 13 Mar 2027 – 2 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.8 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 2 Apr 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 21 May 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk
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 Oturkpo 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 -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 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 -
CoconutFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable
What Divisi would not plant in Oturkpo
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 Oturkpo, 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 Oturkpo
- 31 August 2026 Onion — Forecast basis changed, now based on the typical season
- 31 August 2026 Onion — Planting window moved, now opens 5 Aug 2027
- 31 August 2026 Pearl Millet — Forecast basis changed, now based on the typical season
- 31 August 2026 Watermelon — Forecast basis changed, now based on the typical season
- 31 August 2026 Mango — Forecast basis changed, now based on the typical season
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
-
Ogbete Main Market
120 km · Yam, Cassava, Cocoyam / Taro, Rice
-
Onitsha Main Market
189 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 Oturkpo?
African nightshade, Cashew, Common bean, Cowpea, Green gram all rate well in Oturkpo — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African nightshade in Oturkpo?
In Oturkpo the window for African nightshade runs 18 Apr 2026 to 21 Sep 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Oturkpo?
Divisi does. It reads Oturkpo'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 Oturkpo, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.