What grows in Mbandaka
Equateur, République démocratique du Congo
The 2025 season in Mbandaka
| When the rains are expected | January 2025 to December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Rain in a typical year | About 1,453 mm |
| This season's rain | Rain close to usual — plan around about 1,453 mm falling roughly when it always does |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +1.2 °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 30 September 2026
What grows in Mbandaka
-
African eggplantFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
· about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
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 -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.6 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 optimum -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–1.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CarrotFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
32.2–35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CashewFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 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 -
CassavaFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.7 t/ha expected
· about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CoconutFavourablePlant 9 Aug 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TaroFavourablePlant 18 Sep 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 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 optimum -
Robusta coffeeFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2025 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 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 -
Common beanFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CottonFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2025 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
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) -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.6–1.7 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 optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
· about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2025 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
FonioFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 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) -
Green gramFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
· about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
2.8–3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GuavaFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2025 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
24.3–25.0 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 -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
· about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LablabFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–1.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LimeFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 open now
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) -
MandarinFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 open now
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 10 Feb 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 open now
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 -
OkraFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 28 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 — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2025 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
2.3–2.4 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 optimum -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PineappleFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 50.9 t/ha expected
· about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
· about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
RoselleFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SesameFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2025 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 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 21 Jan 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
· about 4.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
· about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SugarcaneFavourablePlant 18 Sep 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 83.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 111.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
· about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TomatoFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
· about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GingerFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 1 May 2027 opens in 7 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 — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TurmericFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 7 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 — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
YamFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 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 optimum -
ChilliFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 13 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
BananaFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 opens in 16 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) -
EggplantFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
MaizeFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PapayaFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 45.8 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 -
CocoaFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 opens in 22 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 30 Jun 2027 – 9 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 32.4 t/ha expected
· about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MoringaFavourablePlant 20 Jul 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 opens in 42 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 10 Feb 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 opens in 19 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 -
OnionFavourable
Plant 21 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
KaleFavourablePlant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.5 t/ha expected
· about 41.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RiceFavourablePlant 30 Jun 2027 – 18 Sep 2027 opens in 39 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 optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 19 weeks
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
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)Correctable with liming -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 1 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
· about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 21 May 2027 – 30 May 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
· about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 29.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
LemonFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
LettuceFavourablePlant 30 Jun 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 17.4 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 Mbandaka
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.
- Sweet 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
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Temperature
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 14 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Mbandaka, 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 firstThis 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.
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Mbandaka?
African eggplant, African nightshade, Amaranth, Bambara groundnut, Carrot all rate well in Mbandaka — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African eggplant in Mbandaka?
In Mbandaka the window for African eggplant runs 21 Jan 2026 to 28 Oct 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Mbandaka?
Divisi does. It reads Mbandaka'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 Mbandaka, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.