What grows in Ikelenge
North-Western, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Ikelenge
| 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 1,379 mm |
| This season's rain | Rain close to usual — plan around about 1,379 mm falling roughly when it always does |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +1.3 °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 Ikelenge
-
African eggplantFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 13 Oct 2026 – 5 Mar 2027 opens in 2 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 13 Oct 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 opens in 2 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 -
AvocadoFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 18.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 24 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CarrotFavourablePlant 11 Oct 2026 – 8 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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Common beanFavourablePlant 2 Oct 2026 – 22 Feb 2027 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 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CottonFavourablePlant 20 Sep 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 3.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 2 Oct 2026 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 9 Mar 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 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
EggplantFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
FonioFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GuavaFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 18 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 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 21 Sep 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 open now
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) -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 2 Oct 2026 – 11 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 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 9 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LablabFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 open now
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 1 Oct 2026 – 28 Feb 2027 open now
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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
LimeFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 28 Feb 2027 open now
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) -
MaizeFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 open now
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 -
MangoFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 18 Feb 2027 open now
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 30 Sep 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 18.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 18 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OkraFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
OnionFavourable
Plant 11 Oct 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PapayaFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 open now
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 -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 24 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 10 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 18 Feb 2027 open now
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) -
KaleFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 open now
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) -
RiceFavourablePlant 11 Oct 2026 – 10 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RoselleFavourablePlant 20 Sep 2026 – 29 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SorghumFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 open now
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 21 Sep 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 23 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 — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 18 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 11 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 open now
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 outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 open now
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 -
TeaFavourablePlant 11 Oct 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TomatoFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 open now
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 2 Oct 2026 – 5 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
LettuceFavourablePlant 29 Jan 2027 – 9 Mar 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 11 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.4 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 -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 10 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 28 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PineappleFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 11 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 36.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 61.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
SesameFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 31 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
YamFavourablePlant 20 Sep 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 23.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WheatFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 17 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TurmericFavourablePlant 16 Sep 2026 – 6 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CassavaFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 11 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
TeffFavourablePlant 27 Mar 2027 – 5 Apr 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
· about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
GingerModeratePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 11 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 19.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range
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 Ikelenge 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) -
EnsetFavourable 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 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2027 – 19 Jun 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2026 – 1 May 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.4 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimum -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 25 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 Ikelenge
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.
- Cashew Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Garlic Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Arabica coffee Moderate — Water
- Enset Moderate — Water
- Sugarcane Moderate
- Cabbage Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Taro Moderate — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable — Temperature
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Egusi melon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 14 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Ikelenge, 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 Ikelenge
- 2 September 2026 African Nightshade — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Soil
- 2 September 2026 African Nightshade — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Maize — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Soil
- 2 September 2026 Maize — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Maize — Planting window moved, now opens 24 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.
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 Ikelenge?
African eggplant, African nightshade, Amaranth, Avocado, Bambara groundnut all rate well in Ikelenge — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African eggplant in Ikelenge?
In Ikelenge the window for African eggplant runs 1 Oct 2026 to 30 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Ikelenge?
Divisi does. It reads Ikelenge'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 Ikelenge, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.