What grows in Luangwa
Lusaka, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Luangwa
| 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 756 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 +1.6 °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 Luangwa
-
CashewFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 18 Feb 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 -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
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 -
MangoFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 9 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 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 10 Nov 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PapayaFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
45.3–46.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 10 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 10 Nov 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 10 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 22 Nov 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 2 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 10 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
· about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
· about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 20 Dec 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 1 May 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 20 Jan 2027 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
· about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 19 Feb 2027 – 1 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 20 Jan 2027 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
· about 13.9 t/ha
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 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 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GuavaFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 6 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 — manageable -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 20 Nov 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChilliFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk -
CassavaFavourablePlant 2 Nov 2026 – 22 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk -
LettuceModeratePlant 8 Feb 2027 – 10 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 31.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
YamModeratePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk
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 Luangwa 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 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 -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LimeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
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 -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 33.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
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 optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.6 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 41.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
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 optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 17 Nov 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
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 below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk
What Divisi would not plant in Luangwa
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.
- Lemon Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Lime Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Mandarin Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sweet orange Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Swiss chard Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Grapefruit Moderate — Water
- Pineapple Moderate — Water
- Turmeric Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Irish potato Unsuitable
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 31 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Luangwa, 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 firstThis 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
-
New Soweto Market
188 km · Maize, Tomato, Cabbage, Onion
-
Mbare Musika
303 km · Tomato, Maize, Cabbage, Onion
-
Boka Tobacco Auction Floors
304 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 Luangwa?
Cashew, Groundnut, Maize, Mango, Green gram all rate well in Luangwa — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Cashew in Luangwa?
In Luangwa the window for Cashew runs 31 Oct 2026 to 18 Feb 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Luangwa?
Divisi does. It reads Luangwa'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 Luangwa, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.