What grows in Katete
Eastern, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Katete
| 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 978 mm |
| This season's rain | Rain close to usual — plan around about 978 mm falling roughly when it always does |
| 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 Katete
-
CottonFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 25 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GuavaFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LablabFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 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 5.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RoselleFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SesameFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CashewFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 6 Mar 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
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 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
EggplantFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
FonioFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 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 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChilliFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 25 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 33.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 5 Mar 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OkraFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 16.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 18.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CucumberFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 6 Mar 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
· about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RiceFavourablePlant 15 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
KaleFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 6 Dec 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
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 21 Jan 2027 – 1 May 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 11 Mar 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 26 Dec 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OnionFavourable
Plant 26 Dec 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 41.7 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 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 5 Jan 2027 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LimeFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MandarinFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 6 Mar 2027 – 15 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CassavaFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 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 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
YamFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 27 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LettuceFavourablePlant 4 Feb 2027 – 6 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TurmericModeratePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 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 Katete 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 64.8 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 55.6 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 27.8 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 — 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 109.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 28 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimum -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimum -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 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 2.2 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 12.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 48.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable
What Divisi would not plant in Katete
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.
- Wheat 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
- Pineapple Moderate — Water
- Tea Moderate — Water
- Ginger Moderate — Water
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- 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
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 18 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Katete, 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 Katete
- 2 September 2026 Pigeon Pea — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Pigeon Pea — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Lablab — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Cashew — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Papaya — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
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
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 Katete?
Cotton, Finger millet, Groundnut, Guava, Lablab all rate well in Katete — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cotton in Katete?
In Katete the window for Cotton runs 16 Oct 2026 to 25 Nov 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Katete?
Divisi does. It reads Katete'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 Katete, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.