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What grows in Itilima

Simiyu, United Republic of Tanzania

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Map showing the boundary of Itilima

The 2026/27 season in Itilima

Rainy seasonsOne each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it
When the rains are expectedOctober 2026 to May 2027
Rain in a typical yearAbout 635 mm
This season's rainLeaning wet — January, 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 heatHotter 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 supportsenough rain for one full main crop, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season
Ground this covers2 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 57% of this area.
57% enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 199 growing days · about 650 mm · October to May
43% enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 199 growing days · about 650 mm · October to May

last updated 16 September 2026

What grows in Itilima

57% lowland, sub-humid, warm — 48 crops

43% highland, sub-humid, warm — 54 crops

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 Itilima with irrigation

These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.

What Divisi would not plant in Itilima

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.

  • Egusi melon Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Teff Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Chickpea Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Garlic Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Cabbage 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
  • Taro Moderate — Water
  • Sugarcane Moderate — Water
  • Banana Unsuitable — Water
  • Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
  • Coconut Unsuitable — Temperature
  • Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
  • Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
  • Enset Unsuitable — Water
  • Ginger Unsuitable — Water
  • Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
  • Tea Unsuitable — Water

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 Itilima, 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 first

What changed in Itilima

  • 31 August 2026 Passion Fruit — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Soil
  • 31 August 2026 Passion Fruit — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
  • 31 August 2026 Passion Fruit — Planting window moved, now opens 10 Jan 2027
  • 31 August 2026 Chickpea — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Soil
  • 31 August 2026 Chickpea — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable

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

Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Itilima?

Bambara groundnut, Cotton, Cowpea, Finger millet, Fonio all rate well in Itilima — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Bambara groundnut in Itilima?

In Itilima the window for Bambara groundnut runs 6 Oct 2026 to 26 Oct 2026.

Is there a farming app that works in Itilima?

Divisi does. It reads Itilima'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 Itilima, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.

Keep going

The district's answer is one question. What each crop needs, what attacks it and where to sell it are the others.

Crop guides Pest guides Disease guides Where to sell it Farming glossary Farming insights Read the Hive Feed How the advice is made