What grows in Ikwo
Ebonyi, Nigeria
The 2026 season in Ikwo
| When the rains are expected | February 2026 to December 2026 |
|---|---|
| Rain in a typical year | About 1,986 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 a long crop, or two in a year, 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 Ikwo
-
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 26 Apr 2026 – 23 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CashewFavourablePlant 27 Feb 2026 – 9 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 13 Mar 2026 – 24 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 15 Mar 2026 – 23 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 17 Mar 2026 – 24 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 3 Apr 2026 – 20 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 26 Feb 2026 – 24 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 2 May 2026 – 23 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)Correctable with liming -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 11 Mar 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 28 Mar 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 9 Mar 2027 – 7 Sep 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BananaFavourablePlant 24 Feb 2027 – 30 Jul 2027 opens in 21 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) -
CarrotFavourablePlant 25 Mar 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CocoaFavourablePlant 16 Mar 2027 – 4 Jul 2027 opens in 24 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 -
Common beanFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 9 Sep 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 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 10 Jun 2027 – 17 Aug 2027 opens in 36 weeks
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) -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 9 Mar 2027 – 7 Sep 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 22 Apr 2027 – 15 Jul 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
FonioFavourablePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 24 Feb 2027 – 12 Aug 2027 opens in 21 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 24 Feb 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 21 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LablabFavourablePlant 17 Apr 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 9 Aug 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LimeFavourablePlant 24 Feb 2027 – 7 Sep 2027 opens in 21 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
MaizeFavourablePlant 24 Feb 2027 – 12 Aug 2027 opens in 21 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 -
MandarinFavourablePlant 24 Feb 2027 – 7 Sep 2027 opens in 21 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
MangoFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 19 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 -
MoringaFavourablePlant 9 Mar 2027 – 30 Jul 2027 opens in 23 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 -
Oil palmFavourablePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 12 Aug 2027 opens in 25 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 -
PapayaFavourablePlant 24 Feb 2027 – 30 Jul 2027 opens in 21 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 -
PineappleFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 2 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 45.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 63.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 22 Apr 2027 – 26 Aug 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
RiceFavourablePlant 4 Apr 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 26 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 -
SesameFavourablePlant 25 Feb 2027 – 12 Aug 2027 opens in 21 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) -
SorghumFavourablePlant 25 Feb 2027 – 8 Sep 2027 opens in 21 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 24 Feb 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 21 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 25 Feb 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 7 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 28 Mar 2027 – 9 Sep 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CassavaFavourablePlant 12 Feb 2027 – 4 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CottonFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 21 Jul 2027 opens in 19 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 7 Mar 2027 – 10 Aug 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
ChilliFavourablePlant 3 Mar 2027 – 11 Jul 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
· about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 21 Jun 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 — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 7 Mar 2027 – 10 Aug 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 18 Sep 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourablePlant 3 Mar 2027 – 12 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
· about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 12 May 2027 opens in 19 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 -
CoconutFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 3 Mar 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 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.7 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) -
OnionFavourable
Plant 11 Mar 2027 – 26 Aug 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 31.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SugarcaneFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 57.4 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 -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 25 Feb 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TaroFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.1 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 24 Apr 2027 – 17 Jul 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 31.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Robusta coffeeFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 23 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 12 Apr 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.0 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) -
LettuceModeratePlant 27 Jun 2027 – 31 Jul 2027 opens in 38 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
· about 12.3 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 Ikwo
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
- Ginger 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; 18 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Ikwo, 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 Ikwo
- 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
-
Ogbete Main Market
88 km · Yam, Cassava, Cocoyam / Taro, Rice
-
Onitsha Main Market
159 km · Yam, Cassava, Rice, Maize
-
Marché de Foumbot
275 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 Ikwo?
African nightshade, Cashew, Cowpea, Green gram, Jute mallow all rate well in Ikwo — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African nightshade in Ikwo?
In Ikwo the window for African nightshade runs 26 Apr 2026 to 23 Sep 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Ikwo?
Divisi does. It reads Ikwo'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 Ikwo, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.