What grows in Ukum
Benue, Nigeria
The 2026 season in Ukum
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | April 2026 to November 2026 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 1,355 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 Ukum
-
CashewFavourablePlant 29 Mar 2026 – 7 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 8 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 10 Apr 2026 – 25 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 14 Apr 2026 – 29 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
· about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 12 Apr 2026 – 28 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
· about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 28 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 -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 19 Apr 2026 – 20 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 16 Apr 2027 – 3 Sep 2027 opens in 28 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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 11 May 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 32 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 19 Apr 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 16 Apr 2027 – 14 Aug 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 16 Apr 2027 – 3 Sep 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 8 Apr 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 16 Jun 2027 – 7 Aug 2027 opens in 37 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
· about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 16 Apr 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 6 May 2027 – 5 Jul 2027 opens in 31 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 19 Apr 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 17 Mar 2027 – 14 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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GuavaFavourablePlant 17 Mar 2027 – 24 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 6 May 2027 – 14 Aug 2027 opens in 31 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 18 Sep 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LimeFavourablePlant 27 Mar 2027 – 24 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 — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 27 Mar 2027 – 14 Aug 2027 opens in 25 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 27 Mar 2027 – 24 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 — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 17 Mar 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 6 Apr 2027 – 4 Aug 2027 opens in 27 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 27 Mar 2027 – 25 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 — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 6 May 2027 – 3 Sep 2027 opens in 31 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceFavourablePlant 26 Apr 2027 – 14 Aug 2027 opens in 30 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 17 Mar 2027 – 4 Aug 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 27 Mar 2027 – 24 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 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 27 Mar 2027 – 24 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 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 16 May 2027 – 1 Sep 2027 opens in 32 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
· about 13.9 t/ha
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 27 Mar 2027 – 3 Sep 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 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 16 Apr 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 17 Mar 2027 – 25 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 — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 16 Apr 2027 – 25 Jul 2027 opens in 28 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 — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 16 Apr 2027 – 25 Jun 2027 opens in 28 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 — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 17 Mar 2027 – 5 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 16 Apr 2027 – 25 Jul 2027 opens in 28 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 6 Apr 2027 – 15 Apr 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.4 t/ha expected
· about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourablePlant 17 Mar 2027 – 6 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 17 Mar 2027 – 6 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
OnionFavourable
Plant 6 Apr 2027 – 24 Aug 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 32.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PineappleFavourablePlant 17 Mar 2027 – 6 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 38.0 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 27 Mar 2027 – 3 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CassavaFavourablePlant 17 Mar 2027 – 6 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 26 Apr 2027 – 15 Jul 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.7 t/ha expected
· about 30.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
SugarcaneFavourablePlant 17 Mar 2027 – 6 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 111.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 17 Mar 2027 – 6 Apr 2027 opens in 24 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 — manageable -
LettuceModeratePlant 29 Jun 2027 – 25 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.5 t/ha expected
· about 11.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-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 Ukum 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 — manageable -
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 — 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 -
Robusta coffeeFavourable 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 -
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 — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk
What Divisi would not plant in Ukum
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
- Ginger 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 Ukum, 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 Ukum
- 2 September 2026 African Nightshade — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Apr 2027
- 2 September 2026 Amaranth — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Apr 2027
- 2 September 2026 Beetroot — Planting window moved, now opens 19 Apr 2026
- 2 September 2026 Moringa — Planting window moved, now opens 19 Apr 2027
- 2 September 2026 Soybean — Planting window moved, now opens 18 Jul 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
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 Ukum?
Cashew, Cowpea, Green gram, Jute mallow, Okra all rate well in Ukum — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cashew in Ukum?
In Ukum the window for Cashew runs 29 Mar 2026 to 7 Oct 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Ukum?
Divisi does. It reads Ukum'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 Ukum, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.