What grows in Ife Central
Osun, Nigeria
The 2026 season in Ife Central
| 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 1,336 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 +0.8 °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 Ife Central
-
CashewFavourablePlant 28 Feb 2026 – 10 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 -
CucumberFavourablePlant 30 Apr 2026 – 12 Oct 2026 open now
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 -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 16 Mar 2026 – 12 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 -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 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 optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 27 Mar 2027 – 12 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 25 Mar 2027 – 28 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 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 20 Aug 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 — manageable -
BananaFavourablePlant 10 Mar 2027 – 1 Aug 2027 opens in 23 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 below the crop's optimum -
CarrotFavourablePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CocoaFavourablePlant 26 Mar 2027 – 14 Jul 2027 opens in 25 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 25 Mar 2027 – 10 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 25 Mar 2027 – 10 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 10 Mar 2027 – 25 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 10 Mar 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 28 Aug 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 12 Sep 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 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 -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 26 Feb 2027 – 13 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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GuavaFavourablePlant 26 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 — manageable -
LablabFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 20 Aug 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LimeFavourablePlant 26 Feb 2027 – 25 Aug 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 below the crop's optimum -
MaizeFavourablePlant 8 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 26 Feb 2027 – 25 Aug 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 below the crop's optimum -
MangoFavourablePlant 26 Feb 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 21 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 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 -
Oil palmFavourablePlant 3 Apr 2027 – 1 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 19.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OkraFavourablePlant 31 Mar 2027 – 12 Sep 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.3 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 -
OnionFavourable
Plant 11 May 2027 – 3 Aug 2027 opens in 32 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 37.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PapayaFavourablePlant 10 Mar 2027 – 1 Aug 2027 opens in 23 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 -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 1 Mar 2027 – 12 Sep 2027 opens in 22 weeks
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 -
PineappleFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 6 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.0 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 -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 10 Mar 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 23 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 -
RiceFavourablePlant 15 Apr 2027 – 13 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 26 Feb 2027 – 1 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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 10 Mar 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 23 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 10 Mar 2027 – 25 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 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 28 Mar 2027 – 12 Sep 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 13.9 t/ha
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 21 May 2027 – 1 Aug 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
· about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 10 Mar 2027 – 6 Sep 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
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 25 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 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 optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 14 Mar 2027 – 12 Sep 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 24 Jun 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 below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 6 Mar 2027 – 24 Jul 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 24 Feb 2027 – 24 Jun 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 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 optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 14 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 24 Feb 2027 – 24 Jul 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 — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 15 Apr 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 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 15 Apr 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 — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Robusta coffeeFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 6 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 — manageable -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 6 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 below the crop's optimum -
SugarcaneFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 6 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 60.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 111.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 16 Mar 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 26.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CassavaFavourablePlant 16 Feb 2027 – 8 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TaroFavourablePlant 16 Feb 2027 – 8 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourablePlant 6 Mar 2027 – 26 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.1 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 -
KaleFavourablePlant 15 Apr 2027 – 14 Jul 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 39.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 5 Jun 2027 – 5 Jul 2027 opens in 35 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 23.1 t/ha expected
· about 33.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CoconutFavourablePlant 16 Feb 2027 – 8 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LettuceFavourablePlant 29 Jun 2027 – 29 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.6 t/ha expected
· about 16.7 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 Divisi would not plant in Ife Central
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.
- Irish potato Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Avocado Unsuitable — Temperature
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable — Temperature
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Lemon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Temperature
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 16 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Ife Central, 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 Ife Central
- 1 September 2026 Amaranth — Crop became recommendable
- 1 September 2026 Sweet Pepper — Crop became recommendable
- 1 September 2026 Maize — Crop became recommendable
- 1 September 2026 Cowpea — Crop became recommendable
- 1 September 2026 Teff — Crop became recommendable
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
-
Bodija Market
72 km · Yam, Cassava, Maize, Cowpea
-
Mile 12 Market
166 km · Tomato, Hot pepper, Onion, Yam
-
Marché Dantokpa
268 km · Maize, Cassava, Yam, Cowpea
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 Ife Central?
Cashew, Cucumber, Jute mallow, African eggplant, African nightshade all rate well in Ife Central — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cashew in Ife Central?
In Ife Central the window for Cashew runs 28 Feb 2026 to 10 Oct 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Ife Central?
Divisi does. It reads Ife Central'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 Ife Central, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.