What grows in Itezhi-Tezhi
Southern, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Itezhi-Tezhi
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | November 2026 to April 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 845 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January, February and December look short of rain. Plant at the early end of the window, favour quicker and more drought-tolerant crops, and keep moisture in the soil: mulch, and weed early. |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +1.6 °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 short crop, and only if timed to it, 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 Itezhi-Tezhi
-
Finger milletFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
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 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
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 — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 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 — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PapayaFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 45.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
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 below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 36.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
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 optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MoringaFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 31.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OkraFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 6 Nov 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 6 Dec 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
· about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 26 Dec 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 24 Feb 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 16 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.0 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 optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 6 Dec 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.7 t/ha expected
· about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GuavaFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 16 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 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 5.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 26 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LettuceFavourablePlant 4 Feb 2027 – 24 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 27 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CashewFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 6 Mar 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable
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 Itezhi-Tezhi with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LimeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
-
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 55.6 t/ha expected
-
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 20 Jul 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.2 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.1 t/ha expected
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)Correctable with liming -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2026 – 1 May 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 66.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable
What Divisi would not plant in Itezhi-Tezhi
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.
- Grapefruit Moderate — Water
- Sweet orange Moderate — Water
- Lemon Moderate — Water
- Lime Moderate — Water
- Mandarin Moderate — Water
- Cassava Moderate — Water
- Yam Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Pineapple Unsuitable — Water
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable — Water
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 25 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Itezhi-Tezhi, 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 Itezhi-Tezhi
- 31 August 2026 Avocado — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Fonio — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Lablab — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Papaya — 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.
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 Itezhi-Tezhi?
Finger millet, Lablab, Maize, Mango, Pearl millet all rate well in Itezhi-Tezhi — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Finger millet in Itezhi-Tezhi?
In Itezhi-Tezhi the window for Finger millet runs 17 Oct 2026 to 16 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Itezhi-Tezhi?
Divisi does. It reads Itezhi-Tezhi'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 Itezhi-Tezhi, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.