What grows in Lumezi
Eastern, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Lumezi
| 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 921 mm |
| This season's rain | Rain close to usual — plan around about 921 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 Lumezi
-
CottonFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 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 -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 20 Jul 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.5–2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LablabFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 2 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 -
MaizeFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 5 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 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 16.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 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 20 Jul 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RoselleFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
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 -
SesameFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 15 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 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 27 Oct 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
EggplantFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 26 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
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 20 Jul 2026 – 2 Mar 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 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChilliFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 16 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.6 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 44.4 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 -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 4 Feb 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 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 25 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 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 15 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 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 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 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.0 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 -
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 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 6 Mar 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 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 19.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OkraFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RiceFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.4 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 8.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 6 Mar 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 · about 46.3 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 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 · about 35.0 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 -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 26 Dec 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 23 Feb 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GuavaFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.9 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 -
LimeFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.6 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 -
MandarinFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.5 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 -
KaleFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CassavaFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 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 11.2 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 -
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
YamFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 27 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
LettuceFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 6 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 31.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TurmericModeratePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.6 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 Lumezi with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 111.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
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 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 -
TaroFavourable 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 — 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 -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CocoaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BeetrootFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet pepperFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CoconutFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimum
What Divisi would not plant in Lumezi
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.
- Passion fruit Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Niger seed Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sweet pepper Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Beetroot Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Wheat Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Avocado Moderate — Water
- Pineapple Moderate — Water
- Tea 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
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 22 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Lumezi, 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 Lumezi
- 2 September 2026 Cashew — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Cashew — Planting window moved, now opens 23 Dec 2026
- 2 September 2026 Sunflower — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Nov 2026
- 2 September 2026 Lemon — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Nov 2026
- 2 September 2026 Teff — Planting window moved, now opens 10 Dec 2026
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
157 km · Maize, Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower
-
Chinkhoma Auction Floors
164 km · Tobacco
-
Mzuzu Auction Floors
180 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 Lumezi?
Cotton, Finger millet, Groundnut, Lablab, Maize all rate well in Lumezi — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cotton in Lumezi?
In Lumezi the window for Cotton runs 17 Oct 2026 to 26 Nov 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Lumezi?
Divisi does. It reads Lumezi'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 Lumezi, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.