What grows in Chilubi
Northern, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Chilubi
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | October 2026 to April 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 1,306 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning wet — January and November 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 +1.2 °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 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 Chilubi
-
African eggplantFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Common beanFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CottonFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 29 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
EggplantFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
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 -
FonioFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GuavaFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
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 — manageable -
ChilliFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 28 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
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 below the crop's optimum -
LablabFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 3 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 below the crop's optimum -
LimeFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 17 Jan 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 below the crop's optimum -
MaizeFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 8.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 27 Jan 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 — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 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 -
PapayaFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 8 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RoselleFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 28 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 61.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 20 Oct 2026 – 1 Mar 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OkraFavourablePlant 21 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 20 Oct 2026 – 7 Feb 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 27.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 16 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 26 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OnionFavourable
Plant 29 Oct 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
KaleFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RiceFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 16 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 17 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 18 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SesameFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 18 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 29 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
YamFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 29 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CashewFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 8 Mar 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MandarinFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceFavourablePlant 25 Jan 2027 – 18 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WheatFavourablePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 6.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
AvocadoFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 18.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this cropSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CassavaFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 29 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 31.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 29 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.7 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 below the crop's optimum -
TeaFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this crop -
TurmericModeratePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 19 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonDry season too long for this crop
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 Chilubi with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
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 — manageable -
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 below the crop's optimum -
EnsetFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Soil 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 2.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.1 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 71.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum
What Divisi would not plant in Chilubi
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
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable — Water
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 15 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Chilubi, 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 Chilubi
- 2 September 2026 Chickpea — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Chickpea — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Rape Covo Kale — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Rape Covo Kale — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Tomato — Limiting factor changed
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 Chilubi?
African eggplant, Bambara groundnut, Common bean, Cotton, Cowpea all rate well in Chilubi — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African eggplant in Chilubi?
In Chilubi the window for African eggplant runs 19 Oct 2026 to 18 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Chilubi?
Divisi does. It reads Chilubi'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 Chilubi, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.