What grows in Ruangwa
Lindi, United Republic of Tanzania
The 2026/27 season in Ruangwa
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | November 2026 to May 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 803 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January and February 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 +1.4 °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 Ruangwa
-
CashewFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 2 Apr 2027 opens in 5 weeks
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 -
MangoFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLimited rooting depthEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 22 Feb 2027 opens in 6 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 13 Nov 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 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 -
Green gramFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 21 Mar 2027 opens in 7 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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 6 Apr 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 11 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 8.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 45.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 8 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 -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 13 Mar 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 13 Mar 2027 opens in 9 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 1 Dec 2026 – 21 Mar 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 61.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 13 Dec 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 13 Dec 2026 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MoringaFavourablePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.8 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 -
OkraFavourablePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 14.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 2 Mar 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 2 Jan 2027 – 11 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2025 – 18 Sep 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 12 Mar 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 22 Jan 2027 – 23 Mar 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 3 Mar 2027 – 2 Apr 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 22 Jan 2027 – 13 Mar 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 13.2 t/ha
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 9 Feb 2027 – 11 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 4 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 -
ChilliFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 6 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 -
EggplantFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GuavaFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 1 Mar 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LimeFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MandarinFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PineappleFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 18 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 40.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OnionFavourable
Plant 22 Dec 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceFavourablePlant 23 Dec 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CassavaFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
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 — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TurmericFavourablePlant 2 Nov 2026 – 22 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
LettuceModeratePlant 13 Mar 2027 – 4 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 20.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-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 grows in Ruangwa with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 111.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
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 — manageable -
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
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 -
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 — manageable -
CoconutFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 30 May 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 33.2 t/ha expected
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Irish potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 39.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Swiss chardFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 43.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2027 – 2 Mar 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum
What Divisi would not plant in Ruangwa
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
- Sweet potato Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Swiss chard Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Niger seed Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sugarcane Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Beetroot Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Coconut Moderate — Water
- Arabica coffee Moderate — Water
- Sweet pepper Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Ginger Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Taro Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable — Temperature
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable — Temperature
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 24 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Ruangwa, 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 Ruangwa
- 1 September 2026 Bambara Groundnut — Crop became recommendable
- 1 September 2026 Cashew — Crop became recommendable
- 1 September 2026 Pearl Millet — Crop became recommendable
- 1 September 2026 Papaya — Crop became recommendable
- 1 September 2026 Fonio — 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
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 Ruangwa?
Cashew, Mango, Groundnut, Pearl millet, Sesame all rate well in Ruangwa — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cashew in Ruangwa?
In Ruangwa the window for Cashew runs 3 Nov 2026 to 2 Apr 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Ruangwa?
Divisi does. It reads Ruangwa'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 Ruangwa, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.