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What grows in Solwezi

North-Western, Zambia

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Map showing the boundary of Solwezi

The 2026/27 season in Solwezi

Rainy seasonsOne each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it
When the rains are expectedOctober 2026 to May 2027
Rain in a typical yearAbout 1,199 mm
This season's rainRain close to usual — plan around about 1,199 mm falling roughly when it always does
This season's heatHotter than usual — about +1.2 °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 full main crop, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season
Ground this covers2 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 95% of this area.
95% enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 188 growing days · about 1,170 mm · October to April
3% enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 222 growing days · about 1,220 mm · October to May

last updated 16 September 2026

What grows in Solwezi

95% lowland, sub-humid, warm — 51 crops

3% highland, sub-humid, warm — 49 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 Solwezi 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 Solwezi

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.

  • Cowpea Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Green gram Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Pearl millet 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
  • Pigeon pea Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Enset Moderate — Water
  • Turmeric Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Arabica coffee Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Ginger Moderate — Water
  • Pineapple Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Sugarcane Moderate — Water
  • Banana Unsuitable — Water
  • Cashew Unsuitable — Temperature
  • Cassava Unsuitable — Temperature
  • Cocoa Unsuitable
  • Coconut Unsuitable
  • Taro Unsuitable
  • Robusta coffee Unsuitable
  • Cotton Unsuitable — Temperature
  • Egusi melon Unsuitable — Temperature
  • Oil palm Unsuitable
  • Yam Unsuitable — Temperature

Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 22 came back without a sowing date.

Plan the season, not just check it

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

  • 2 September 2026 Papaya — Limiting factor changed
  • 2 September 2026 Pigeon Pea — 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

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Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Solwezi?

African eggplant, Bambara groundnut, Beetroot, Common bean, Eggplant all rate well in Solwezi — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant African eggplant in Solwezi?

In Solwezi the window for African eggplant runs 4 Oct 2026 to 13 Dec 2026.

Is there a farming app that works in Solwezi?

Divisi does. It reads Solwezi'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 Solwezi, 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.

Crop guides Pest guides Disease guides Where to sell it Farming glossary Farming insights Read the Hive Feed How the advice is made