What grows in Nchelenge
Luapula, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Nchelenge
| 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 1,058 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning wet — January, October, 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 +1.0 °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 Nchelenge
-
African eggplantFavourablePlant 13 Oct 2026 – 21 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 21 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 -
CarrotFavourablePlant 13 Oct 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
CashewFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 17 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 13 Oct 2026 – 20 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CottonFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 13 Oct 2026 – 10 Feb 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 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
EggplantFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 11 Jan 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
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 (lime) -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 11 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
FonioFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 21 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 3 Oct 2026 – 12 Feb 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 — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GuavaFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.0 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 -
ChilliFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 12 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 20 Mar 2027 opens in 2 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 below the crop's optimum -
LablabFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 31 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 13 Oct 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 36.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
LimeFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
MaizeFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 11 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
MangoFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 10 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MoringaFavourablePlant 13 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
19.4–20.0 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 15 Oct 2026 – 8 Mar 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
PapayaFavourablePlant 13 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 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 3 Oct 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 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 -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 2 Dec 2026 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 -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
RoselleFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SesameFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
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 (lime) -
SorghumFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 31 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 11 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 21 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TomatoFavourablePlant 13 Oct 2026 – 21 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 2 Mar 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
YamFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 23 Oct 2026 – 2 Mar 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 23 Oct 2026 – 31 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 20 Mar 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 t/ha expected
· about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
RiceFavourablePlant 23 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 25 Oct 2026 – 23 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) -
KaleFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionFavourable
Plant 1 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
· about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 36.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CassavaFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
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 — manageableNot enough water in season -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.0 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 outside the crop's range -
PineappleFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this cropNo soil data for this spot -
TurmericFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.0 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 cropNo soil data for this spot -
LettuceFavourablePlant 12 Feb 2027 – 20 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 25.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)
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 Nchelenge with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
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) -
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.3 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 2.8 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 1.9 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 110.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Irish potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 41.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BeetrootFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet pepperFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
-
Arabica coffeeFavourable 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 -
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)
What Divisi would not plant in Nchelenge
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.
- Sweet potato Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Irish potato 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
- Arabica coffee Moderate — Water
- Ginger Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Coconut Moderate — Water
- Taro Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable — Temperature
- Banana Unsuitable
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 23 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Nchelenge, 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 Nchelenge
- 2 September 2026 Moringa — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Hot Pepper — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Amaranth — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Amaranth — Planting window moved, now opens 31 Dec 2026
- 2 September 2026 Maize — 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
- 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 Nchelenge?
African eggplant, Bambara groundnut, Carrot, Cashew, Common bean all rate well in Nchelenge — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African eggplant in Nchelenge?
In Nchelenge the window for African eggplant runs 13 Oct 2026 to 21 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Nchelenge?
Divisi does. It reads Nchelenge'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 Nchelenge, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.