What grows in Maswa
Simiyu, United Republic of Tanzania
The 2026/27 season in Maswa
| 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 663 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning 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 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 | 2 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 92% of this area. |
| 92% | enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 191 growing days · about 630 mm · October to May |
|---|---|
| 8% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 177 growing days · about 570 mm · November to May |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Maswa
92% lowland, sub-humid, warm — 47 crops
-
WatermelonFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 34.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 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 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
2.3–2.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
3.1–3.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
0.9–1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LablabFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
1.6–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CashewFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 26 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 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 -
MangoFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
13.6–15.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
FonioFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
1.0–1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RoselleFavourablePlant 6 Oct 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 16 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 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 2 Apr 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.4 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 -
CucumberFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 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 40.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OkraFavourablePlant 30 Oct 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 15 Jan 2027 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CottonFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 8 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 -
SesameFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChilliFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.3 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 -
CassavaFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 27 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.0 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 -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 16 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 10.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 39.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 70.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
EggplantFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 70.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
KaleFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OnionFavourable
Plant 27 Oct 2026 – 16 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 45.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 45.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 40.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
RiceFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 7.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
LettuceFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 28.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 6 Mar 2027 opens in 4 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 20.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable
8% lowland, semi-arid, warm — 44 crops
-
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.9–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CottonFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 1 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SesameFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.8–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LablabFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.5–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
26.5–31.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Green gramFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.8–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
17.6–21.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
SorghumFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.7–3.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
CucumberFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 40.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Common beanFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OkraFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 10 Feb 2027 – 4 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
RoselleFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 11 Nov 2026 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 below the crop's optimum -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
CashewFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 11 Mar 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
MangoFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.1 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 -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
PapayaFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 70.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
MaizeFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 10.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
ChilliFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 1 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
EggplantFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
TomatoFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 1 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 70.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
KaleFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 1 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
CarrotFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 1 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
OnionFavourable
Plant 1 Nov 2026 – 1 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 45.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 19.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 20 Jan 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 26.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 45.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
CassavaFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 1 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.4 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 outside the crop's range -
RiceFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 7.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MoringaFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.7 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 -
LettuceFavourablePlant 19 Feb 2027 – 11 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 28.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)
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 Maswa with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 70.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 60.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 40.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 40.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 40.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
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 -
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 — manageable -
GingerFavourable 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 — manageable -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.0 t/ha expected
-
LimeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 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 25.0 t/ha expected
-
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 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 3.0 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 2.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CocoaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BeetrootFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 40.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 89.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 13.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable
What Divisi would not plant in Maswa
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.
- Pineapple Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Avocado Unsuitable — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
- Guava Unsuitable — Water
- Lemon Unsuitable — Water
- Lime Unsuitable — Water
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
- Yam Unsuitable — Water
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 Maswa, 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 Maswa
- 31 August 2026 Mango — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 31 August 2026 Chickpea — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 31 August 2026 Lemon — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 31 August 2026 Guava — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 31 August 2026 Watermelon — 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
- 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 Maswa?
Bambara groundnut, Cashew, Common bean, Cotton, Cowpea all rate well in Maswa — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Bambara groundnut in Maswa?
In Maswa the window for Bambara groundnut runs 7 Oct 2026 to 26 Nov 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Maswa?
Divisi does. It reads Maswa'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 Maswa, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.