What grows in Busega
Simiyu, United Republic of Tanzania
The 2026/27 season in Busega
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | October 2026 to June 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 777 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 +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 Busega
-
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 25 Feb 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 1 Oct 2026 – 30 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
1.2–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
0.8–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
1.9–2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
9.2–10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LablabFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 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 -
MangoFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 28 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
13.8–16.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
1.9–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PineappleFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 24 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
42.8–44.5 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 (acidifier) -
SorghumFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
2.9–3.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 18 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
2.2–2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
FonioFavourablePlant 2 Jan 2027 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.9–1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 21 Feb 2027 – 23 Mar 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.0 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 -
Common beanFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 13 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
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 below the crop's optimum -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 25 Feb 2027 – 2 Apr 2027 opens in 21 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 -
Green gramFavourablePlant 22 Jan 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 21 Feb 2027 – 13 Mar 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 21 Feb 2027 – 2 Mar 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.8–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OkraFavourablePlant 13 Feb 2027 – 9 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 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 -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 22 Jan 2027 – 13 Mar 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 24 Feb 2027 – 18 Mar 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.7 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 22 Jan 2027 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 16 weeks
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 — manageable -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 15 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 1 Feb 2027 – 13 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
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 — manageable -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 8 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.0 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 -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.3 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 -
CassavaFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.7 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 -
CottonFavourablePlant 2 Oct 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
EggplantFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.4 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 (acidifier) -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChilliFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.2 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 -
LimeFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.9 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 (acidifier) -
MaizeFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 11 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 36.5 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 -
KaleFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RoselleFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SesameFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 2 Oct 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
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 -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.3 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 -
TomatoFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 11 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.2 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 -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 9 Jan 2027 – 8 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
CarrotFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 2 Mar 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 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionFavourable
Plant 19 Jan 2027 – 28 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 8 Apr 2027 – 17 Apr 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.4 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 -
GuavaFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourablePlant 2 Oct 2026 – 1 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.1 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 optimumSteep slope -
MandarinFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 29.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MoringaFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
RiceFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 22 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 7.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.5 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 -
TurmericFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 24 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.3 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 -
YamFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 24 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LettuceFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 1 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 6 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 17.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum
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 Busega with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.0 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 — 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
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 — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
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 -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 79.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)
What Divisi would not plant in Busega
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.
- Avocado 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
- 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; 17 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Busega, 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 Busega
- 2 September 2026 Jute Mallow — Planting window moved, now opens 30 Jan 2027
- 2 September 2026 Teff — Planting window moved, now opens 15 Jan 2027
- 2 September 2026 Avocado — Crop stopped being recommendable
- 2 September 2026 Niger Seed — Crop stopped being 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 Busega?
Bambara groundnut, Cashew, Egusi melon, Finger millet, Jute mallow all rate well in Busega — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Bambara groundnut in Busega?
In Busega the window for Bambara groundnut runs 28 Sep 2026 to 25 Feb 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Busega?
Divisi does. It reads Busega'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 Busega, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.