What grows in Kaputa
Northern, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Kaputa
| 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 909 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning wet — January, November and December 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 +1.1 °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 Kaputa
-
African eggplantFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 5 Feb 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 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CashewFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
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 -
Common beanFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CottonFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 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 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
EggplantFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 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 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 2 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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
ChilliFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 24 Mar 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LablabFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 10.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 16 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 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 2 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 18 Oct 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 70.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 5 Feb 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 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RoselleFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SesameFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 70.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
· about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
CarrotFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
OkraFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RiceFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 7.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
· about 15.0 t/ha
Soil pH below the crop's optimum -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
CucumberFavourablePlant 25 Feb 2027 – 17 Mar 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
· about 40.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CassavaFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 27 Oct 2026 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 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
GuavaFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
LimeFavourablePlant 6 Oct 2026 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
MandarinFavourablePlant 6 Oct 2026 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
YamFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OnionFavourable
Plant 28 Oct 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 45.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
KaleFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 48.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 40.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
TurmericModeratePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this crop -
LettuceModeratePlant 15 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 22.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum
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 Kaputa 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 120.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 70.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 60.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
CocoaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
CoconutFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 17 Nov 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
Swiss chardFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 10 May 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 50.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
Irish potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2027 – 19 Jun 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 45.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 30 May 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
Sweet pepperFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 10 May 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 36.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 30 May 2027 opens in 33 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 19.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot
What Divisi would not plant in Kaputa
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
- Swiss chard Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sweet potato Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sweet pepper Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Irish potato Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Niger seed Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Passion fruit Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Avocado Moderate — Water
- Beetroot Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pineapple Moderate — Water
- Ginger Moderate — Water
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Coconut Unsuitable — Water
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 26 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Kaputa, 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 Kaputa
- 2 September 2026 Tobacco — Planting window moved, now opens 16 Dec 2026
- 2 September 2026 Mandarin — Planting window moved, now opens 15 Jan 2027
- 2 September 2026 Beetroot — Planting window moved, now opens 14 Feb 2027
- 2 September 2026 Lablab — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Dec 2026
- 2 September 2026 Lime — Planting window moved, now opens 15 Jan 2027
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 Kaputa?
African eggplant, Bambara groundnut, Cashew, Common bean, Cotton all rate well in Kaputa — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African eggplant in Kaputa?
In Kaputa the window for African eggplant runs 18 Oct 2026 to 5 Feb 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Kaputa?
Divisi does. It reads Kaputa'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 Kaputa, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.