What grows in Mwense
Luapula, Zambia
These figures also cover Mporokoso, where the engine returns the same answer.
The 2026/27 season in Mwense
| 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 1,075 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning wet — January, February, 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 +1.1 °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 | One kind of ground throughout. |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Mwense
-
African eggplantFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 2 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
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 4 Oct 2026 – 18 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
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 15 Oct 2026 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CottonFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 4 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 2 Feb 2027 opens in 2 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 -
EggplantFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 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 4 Oct 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
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 5 Oct 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GuavaFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChilliFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 4 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 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 -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LablabFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.8 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 15 Oct 2026 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.7 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 -
MaizeFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MandarinFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 11 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
MangoFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 2 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 2 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OkraFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PapayaFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 2 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 2 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 2 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RoselleFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
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 4 Oct 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SorghumFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 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 -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 11 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
· about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 2 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 22 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 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 -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 25 Oct 2026 – 22 Feb 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 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 -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 25 Oct 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 3 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 25 Oct 2026 – 2 Feb 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 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 -
OnionFavourable
Plant 24 Oct 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
RiceFavourablePlant 25 Oct 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CucumberFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 10 Mar 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 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
KaleFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
· about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 4 Dec 2026 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
· about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 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 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 13 Jan 2027 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 10 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 25 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.6 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 4 Oct 2026 – 24 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.0 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 -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 22.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LettuceFavourablePlant 2 Feb 2027 – 26 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
WheatFavourablePlant 22 Jan 2027 – 11 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CassavaFavourablePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 25 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.8 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 5 Oct 2026 – 25 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.7 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 -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 8 Mar 2027 – 19 Mar 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TurmericModeratePlant 5 Oct 2026 – 25 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.5 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 Mwense 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 — manageable -
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 — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GingerFavourable 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 — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
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 -
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
-
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.7 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 1.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.6 t/ha expected
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)Correctable with liming -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 48.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)
What Divisi would not plant in Mwense
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.
- Avocado Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Tea Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pineapple 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; 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 Mwense, 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 Mwense
- 31 August 2026 Oil Palm — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Passion Fruit — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Swiss Chard — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Papaya — 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
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 Mwense?
African eggplant, Bambara groundnut, Cashew, Common bean, Cotton all rate well in Mwense — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African eggplant in Mwense?
In Mwense the window for African eggplant runs 15 Oct 2026 to 13 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Mwense?
Divisi does. It reads Mwense'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 Mwense, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.