Mozambique Crop Calendar

The agroecological zone R1 is located in altitudes varying from 0-200m above the mean sea level. The average precipitation is of about 800mm/year lasting from November to March and the mean annual temperature is in between 20 ºC -25ºC. The main representative soils in this region are Ferralic Arenosols, Ferralic Lixisols, Eutric Leptsols and Euric Fluvisols.

Practices: The agroecological zone R1 is characterized mostly by rainfed agriculture, where during the rain seasons crops such as Maize, Groundnuts, Cassava and Sweet potatoes, and potatoes are practice. There are some irrigation activities for crops such as maize, beans, and horticulture that take place along the Maputo valley and Incomati, Umbeluzi and Limpopo rivers.

Located in high hills where the altitudes are above 1200 meters above the mean sea level, the soils in the agroecological zone R10 are Rhodic Ferrasols, Eutric Leptsols and Ferric Lixisols. This region receives an annual rainfall of about 1200mm and the annual average temperature vary up to 22ºC.

Practices: Covering the high hills of Niassa, Tete and Zambezia provinces, this region is mostly characterized by rainfed agriculture with satisfactory rainfall and temperature all-year-long. Over the region, maize is the main crop practiced. Other crops over this region include soybean, cotton, tea, potatoes, groundnuts, and wheat.

The agroecological zone R2 is characterized by altitudes below 200m above the mean sea level. The dominant soil characteristics of the Agroecological zone R2 are Arenosols, Ferralic Arenosols and Chromic Luvisols. The annual average precipitation of the region is about 500-800mm and the temperatures vary from 24ºC-26ºC annual average.

Practices: Rainfed agriculture characterizes a major section of the coastal region south of Save, where the main crops during the rainy season include maize, cowpea groundnuts, sweet potato and cassava. Covering part of the Limpopo River in the south-east of Gaza province and south of Save in northern Inhambane, there are irrigation activities along these vales, mostly for rice crop, horticulture and fruit trees such as coconuts. Cashew nuts are also observed in this region.

With its rainy season running from November to March and an annual rainfall ranging from 1000 to 1200 mm, the Agroecological zone R4 is located in altitudes varying from 200-1000m above the mean sea level. The temperature over this region ranges from 17.5ºC to 32.5ºC and the soils in the region are a mixture of Rhodic Ferrasols, Eutric Fluvisols, Halpic Acrisols, Cambic Arenosols, and Ferric Lixisols.

Practices: Covering high hills and plain sections of Manica and Sofala provinces, the R4 region is characterized by both rainfed and irrigated agriculture. Along with Manica province (mostly in the Sussundenga and Vanduzi districts), large farms equipped with irrigation tools are observed where crops such as soybean and maize are cultivated. In addition, fruit trees such as citrus, mango and banana are also farmed. Small farmers in both Manica and Sofala provinces do farm crops such as maize, sorghum and horticultural crops.

The altitude in the agroecological zone R7 varies from 200m in the lower Zambezi River basin to 1000m above the mean sea level along with the high-hills areas of Tsangano and Angónia. The regions receive a cumulative annual rainfall that varies from 1000-1400mm. The annual average temperature reaches up to 26ºC and the dominant soils are of Eutric Leptsols, Ferric Lixisols and Cambic Arenosols type.

Practices: The agriculture in the R7 region is generally rainfed and the main crops include maize, sorghum, millet, cowpea, sesame and groundnuts. Cash crops such as cotton and tabaco are also produced.

In the Agroecological zone R8, the soils are of Ferralic Arenosols, Ferric Lixisols, Eutric Fluvisols, and Eutric Cambisols. The region is characterized by altitudes varying from 800-1000m above the mean sea level. The region receives an annual rainfall ranging from 800mm to 1200mm and temperatures varying up to 26ºC.

Practices: Located along the coastal areas of Zambezia, Nampula and Cabo Delgado provinces, in the AEZ R8, rice is mostly produced along the heavy soils near the river banks. In this region, cashew nut is the most important cash crop. Fruit trees such as coconuts are cultivated along the districts of Zambezia province all year long.