What grows in Chadiza
Eastern, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Chadiza
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | November 2026 to April 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 1,040 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January, February and December 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 short crop, and only if timed to it, 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 Chadiza
-
CottonFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 16 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 25 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GuavaFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LablabFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 7.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 22.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 2.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RoselleFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SesameFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 15 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.0–1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 27.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Common beanFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
EggplantFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 39.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChilliFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 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 19.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourablePlant 25 Oct 2026 – 23 Jan 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 36.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LimeFavourablePlant 25 Oct 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 22.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MandarinFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 31.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 25 Oct 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 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 34.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PapayaFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 42.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 60.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 2.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 54.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 39.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 19.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 39.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 6 Mar 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2025 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 31.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 23 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 11.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 11.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 11.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 16 Nov 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
· about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RiceFavourablePlant 15 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
KaleFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 39.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 39.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 31.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 27.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 5 Jan 2027 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 30 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 23 Feb 2027 – 5 Mar 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 31.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 36.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
YamFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 19.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CashewFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 5 Mar 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
WheatFavourablePlant 14 Jan 2027 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 5.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LettuceFavourablePlant 3 Feb 2027 – 5 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 27.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AvocadoFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 18.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this crop -
CassavaFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 29.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 4 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 36.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
TurmericModeratePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this crop
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 Chadiza 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 63.5 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 54.4 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 -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 92.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageable -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.0 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 41.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
What Divisi would not plant in Chadiza
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 Moderate — Water
- Tea Moderate — Water
- Ginger Moderate — Water
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 16 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Chadiza, 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 Chadiza
- 2 September 2026 Beetroot — Planting window moved, now opens 5 Jan 2027
- 2 September 2026 Niger Seed — Planting window moved, now opens 10 Dec 2026
- 2 September 2026 Carrot — Crop stopped being recommendable
- 2 September 2026 Tobacco — Crop became recommendable
- 2 September 2026 Banana Plantain — 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
-
Walela Market
38 km · Maize, Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower
-
Lilongwe Old Town Market
121 km · Maize, Groundnut, Common bean, Soybean
-
Kanengo Auction Floors
122 km · Tobacco
Support and extension
- Farmer Input Support Programme
- Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility
- Department of Agriculture
- Seed Control and Certification Institute
- Zambia Agriculture Research Institute
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Chadiza?
Cotton, Finger millet, Fonio, Groundnut, Guava all rate well in Chadiza — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cotton in Chadiza?
In Chadiza the window for Cotton runs 17 Oct 2026 to 16 Nov 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Chadiza?
Divisi does. It reads Chadiza'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 Chadiza, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.