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What grows in Mpika

Muchinga, Zambia

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Map showing the boundary of Mpika

The 2026/27 season in Mpika

Rainy seasonsOne each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it
When the rains are expectedNovember 2026 to April 2027
Rain in a typical yearAbout 930 mm
This season's rainRain close to usual — plan around about 930 mm falling roughly when it always does
This season's heatHotter 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 supportsenough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season
Ground this covers3 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 83% of this area.
83% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 169 growing days · about 940 mm · November to April
10% enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 180 growing days · about 1,050 mm · November to April
6% enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 181 growing days · about 1,070 mm · October to April

last updated 16 September 2026

What grows in Mpika

83% lowland, semi-arid, warm — 56 crops

10% lowland, sub-humid, warm — 53 crops

6% highland, sub-humid, warm — 47 crops

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 Mpika with irrigation

These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.

What Divisi would not plant in Mpika

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.

  • Pineapple Moderate — Water
  • Ginger Moderate — Water
  • Sugarcane Moderate — Water
  • Banana Unsuitable — Water
  • Cocoa Unsuitable
  • Coconut Unsuitable
  • Taro Unsuitable — Water
  • Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
  • Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
  • Enset Unsuitable
  • Oil palm Unsuitable

Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 11 came back without a sowing date.

Plan the season, not just check it

The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Mpika, 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 first

What changed in Mpika

  • 2 September 2026 Tea — Planting window moved, now opens 27 Nov 2026
  • 2 September 2026 Passion Fruit — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Nov 2026
  • 2 September 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Nov 2026
  • 2 September 2026 Chickpea — Planting window moved, now opens 27 Nov 2026
  • 2 September 2026 Avocado — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Nov 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

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Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Mpika?

Finger millet, Guava, Lablab, Maize, Mango all rate well in Mpika — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Finger millet in Mpika?

In Mpika the window for Finger millet runs 17 Oct 2026 to 15 Jan 2027.

Is there a farming app that works in Mpika?

Divisi does. It reads Mpika'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 Mpika, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.

Keep going

The district's answer is one question. What each crop needs, what attacks it and where to sell it are the others.

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