What grows in Northern
Uganda
The 2026 season in Northern
| 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 913 mm in a typical farming district |
| Across its districts | From about 651 mm in the driest of 37 districts to about 1,266 mm in the wettest |
| This season's rain | Rain close to usual — plan around about 913 mm falling roughly when it always does |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +1.6 °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 | 3 kinds of ground. The season below is one typical farming district's, not a figure for the whole of this area. |
| 55% | enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 249 growing days · about 930 mm · March to November |
|---|---|
| 38% | enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 280 growing days · about 1,120 mm · March to December |
| 3% | enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 237 growing days · about 790 mm · March to November |
last updated 18 September 2026 · from all 37 areas within it
Northern's districts
-
Abim -
Adjumani -
Agago -
Alebtong -
Amolatar -
Amudat -
Amuru -
Apac -
Arua -
Dokolo -
Gulu -
Kaabong -
Karenga -
Kitgum -
Koboko -
Kole -
Kotido -
Kwania -
Lamwo -
Lira -
Madi Okollo -
Maracha -
Moroto -
Moyo -
Nabilatuk -
Nakapiripirit -
Napak -
Nebbi -
Nwoya -
Obongi -
Omoro -
Otuke -
Oyam -
Pader -
Pakwach -
Yumbe -
Zombo
What grows here
-
CashewFavourableGrows well in 37 of 37 districts
Plant 2 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WatermelonFavourableGrows well in 37 of 37 districts
Plant 15 Apr 2027 – 2 Jul 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourableGrows well in 37 of 37 districts
Plant 14 Mar 2027 – 17 Aug 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourableGrows well in 37 of 37 districts
Plant 8 Apr 2027 – 6 Aug 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
8.9–9.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourableGrows well in 37 of 37 districts
Plant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Aug 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
3.4–3.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourableGrows well in 37 of 37 districts
Plant 31 Mar 2027 – 21 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
16.5–18.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable
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.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops above are gathered from every district in Northern, and the ground under them is not all the same. 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 firstSupport and extension
- NAADS Agricultural Input Support
- Parish Development Model — Agricultural Value-Chain Pillar
- Department of Crop Inspection and Certification
- Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services
- National Agricultural Research Organisation
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.
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Northern?
Cashew, Watermelon, Pumpkin, Jute mallow, Sorghum all rate well in Northern — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cashew in Northern?
In Northern the window for Cashew runs 2 Mar 2026 to 28 Oct 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Northern?
Divisi does. It reads Northern'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 Northern, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.