What grows in Kahama
Shinyanga, United Republic of Tanzania
The 2026/27 season in Kahama
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | October 2026 to May 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 690 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning wet — January, October, 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 +0.9 °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 Kahama
-
African eggplantFavourablePlant 2 Oct 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
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 5 Oct 2026 – 24 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLimited rooting depth -
Common beanFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CottonFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 4 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 2 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 — manageable -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
1.0–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
2.5–3.0 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 5 Oct 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 2 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 6 Oct 2026 – 25 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 30 Mar 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 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LablabFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
1.6–1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLimited rooting depth -
MangoFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 2 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
14.4–16.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
2.2–2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLimited rooting depth -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLimited rooting depth -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
RoselleFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
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 5 Oct 2026 – 4 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
0.9–1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
3.3–3.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
2.2–2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
30.8–35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 18 Mar 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OkraFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 14.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 7 Feb 2027 opens in 6 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 20.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 33.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.1 t/ha expected
· about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 13 Jan 2027 – 2 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 10 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CassavaFavourablePlant 2 Oct 2026 – 22 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
EggplantFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 4 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChilliFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 4 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MaizeFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 14 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 8.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 13 Oct 2026 – 22 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.5 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 -
PapayaFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 40.0 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 -
KaleFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 61.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RiceFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OnionFavourable
Plant 25 Oct 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 25 Oct 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.8 t/ha expected
· about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 24 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 23.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 28 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 16.1 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 Kahama with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
GuavaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 64.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
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 -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LimeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 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 -
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 — manageable -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
-
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
BeetrootFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.1 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 87.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 11.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum
What Divisi would not plant in Kahama
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.
- Beetroot Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Guava Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Lemon Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Lime Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pineapple Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Avocado Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Grapefruit Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Mandarin Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sweet orange Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Turmeric Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Yam Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Taro Moderate — Water
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Coconut Unsuitable — Temperature
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable — Temperature
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 27 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Kahama, 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 Kahama
- 31 August 2026 Avocado — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Passion Fruit — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Swiss Chard — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Lime — 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.
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 Kahama?
African eggplant, Bambara groundnut, Cashew, Common bean, Cotton all rate well in Kahama — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African eggplant in Kahama?
In Kahama the window for African eggplant runs 2 Oct 2026 to 31 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Kahama?
Divisi does. It reads Kahama'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 Kahama, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.