What grows in Chato
Geita, United Republic of Tanzania
The 2026/27 season in Chato
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | September 2026 to May 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 746 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning wet — January, February, November and December look heavier than usual. Make sure water can drain off the field; a wet year does more damage through waterlogging and disease than through the rain itself. |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +1.0 °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 Chato
-
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.5–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CashewFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 6 Apr 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 14 Sep 2026 – 4 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CottonFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 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 optimum -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
2.4–2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LablabFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 11 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.7–1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
15.7–16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 26 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
2.2–2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.7–2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RoselleFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 11 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
3.1–3.5 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 optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 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 optimum -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 24 Sep 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 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 -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
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 -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 22 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CarrotFavourablePlant 6 Oct 2026 – 25 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.1 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 optimum -
Common beanFavourablePlant 27 Sep 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 open now
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 — manageable -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 27 Sep 2026 – 28 Feb 2027 open now
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 — manageable -
CucumberFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 30 Mar 2027 opens in 2 weeks
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 below the crop's optimum -
FonioFavourablePlant 20 Sep 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.2–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 29 Sep 2026 – 20 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.5 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 optimum -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 2 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 12 Apr 2027 opens in 2 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
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 27 Sep 2026 – 24 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
0.9–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OkraFavourablePlant 29 Sep 2026 – 3 Dec 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 below the crop's optimum -
OnionFavourable
Plant 6 Oct 2026 – 15 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PapayaFavourablePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 15 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 41.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 9 Dec 2026 open now
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 — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 5 Mar 2027 open now
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 optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 10 Oct 2026 – 9 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
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 below the crop's optimum -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 20 Sep 2026 – 27 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 25 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.1 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 -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 20 Sep 2026 – 9 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 27 Sep 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 open now
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 optimum -
AvocadoFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 11 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 18.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GuavaFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChilliFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 5 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.4 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 -
LemonFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.3 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 -
LimeFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.5 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 -
PineappleFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 43.6 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 -
SesameFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 13 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
EggplantFavourablePlant 19 Sep 2026 – 8 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 15 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
KaleFavourablePlant 19 Sep 2026 – 18 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RiceFavourablePlant 23 Sep 2026 – 12 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 20 Sep 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.2 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 -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 19 Sep 2026 – 18 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 25 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 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 -
LettuceFavourablePlant 4 Mar 2027 – 30 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 25.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 4 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.5 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 -
MandarinFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TurmericFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 14 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
YamFavourablePlant 13 Sep 2026 – 13 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
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.
What grows in Chato 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
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 — manageable -
GingerFavourable 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
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 -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 69.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum
What Divisi would not plant in Chato
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.
- Banana Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Taro Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Arabica coffee Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Robusta coffee Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Tea Moderate — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Coconut Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable — Temperature
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- 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 Chato, 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 Chato
- 2 September 2026 African Nightshade — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Passion Fruit — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Passion Fruit — Planting window moved, now opens 17 Jan 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.
Support and extension
- Building a Better Tomorrow – Youth Initiative for Agribusiness
- Fertiliser Subsidy Programme
- Smallholder Farmers Credit Guarantee Scheme
- Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute
- Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Chato?
Bambara groundnut, Cashew, Cassava, Cotton, Finger millet all rate well in Chato — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Bambara groundnut in Chato?
In Chato the window for Bambara groundnut runs 14 Sep 2026 to 22 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Chato?
Divisi does. It reads Chato'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 Chato, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.