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El Niño Advisory 2026/27

Season advisory

El Niño Advisory 2026/27

A below-normal rainfall season is manageable with the right variety, the right planting date and disciplined moisture conservation. Here is what we recommend.

View country recommendations
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What it means for your field

Plan for a shorter, less reliable rainfall window

El Niño years typically shift the onset of rains later and increase the chance of mid-season dry spells. The single biggest lever a farmer controls is variety maturity length.

In areas expecting reduced rainfall during El Niño, prepare for possible planting delays and dry spells. Seed Co recommends matching your crop and variety choices to your local seasonal outlook. Variety maturity is one important decision farmers can control.
Select varieties recommended for your district, expected rainfall and planting window. Consider a suitable mix of maturity groups to spread risk.


Conserve soil moisture by retaining crop residues, avoiding burning and improving soil cover. Use locally appropriate water-harvesting practices and organic matter to support moisture retention. Follow local weather updates and plant with effective rainfall, when sufficient soil moisture is available. Apply fertiliser at the appropriate time, diversify with locally recommended crops and scout early for pests.

Adjust your planting window

Plant early, soon after receiving the first effective rainfall of approximately 30-40 mm. This helps crops establish before prolonged dry spells and make better use of available soil moisture. Choose varieties suited to your agro-ecological region and monitor local weather forecasts to guide planting.

Conserve every millimetre

Retain crop residues as mulch and minimise soil disturbance through ripping or planting basins. These practices improve rainfall infiltration, reduce runoff and evaporation, and help conserve soil moisture during dry spells. Keep fields weed-free to reduce competition for water, nutrients and sunlight.

Spread your risk

Plant a mix of maize varieties from maturity groups suited to your region, and diversify with locally recommended crops such as sorghum and legumes. Where advised, stagger planting across the effective planting window to spread risk. Follow recommended plant populations and spacing for your local conditions to reduce competition for moisture and nutrients

Country recommendations

El Niño variety recommendations

Select a country to view the recommended maize varieties, alternative crops and location guidance for the season.

Botswana

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Botswana recommendations for Botswana
District / administrative area Towns / locations Seed Co zone for El Niño Agro-ecological region Rainfed maize varieties for El Niño Irrigated maize varieties Other crops
Kgalagadi Tsabong, Hukuntsi, Kang, Tshane, Werda, Bokspits, Middelputs, Khuis, Mabuа, Lehututu, Lokgwabe, Struizendam 1 Kalahari SC 419, SC 506 N/A Soya: Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Ghanzi Ghanzi, Charles Hill, Ncojane/Nojane, Kalkfontein, East Hanahai, West Hanahai, New Xade, D’Kar, Kacgae 1 Kalahari / western dry transition SC 419, SC 506 N/A Soya: Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Central Serowe, Palapye, Mahalapye, Bobonong, Tonota, Letlhakane, Rakops, Tutume, Shoshong, Nata, Tshe sebe, Mathangwane, Mmadinare, Tati Siding, Matshelagabedi, Maitengwe, Masunga, Lerala, Maunatlala, Machaneng, Martins Drift, Sefhare, Tsetsebjwe, Semolale, Molalatau; Gweta is also named in the advisory 2 Western Sandveld, Southern Hardveld and Eastern Hardveld SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
North-East Masunga, Tati Siding, Matshelagabedi, Tshe sebe, Mapoka, Moroka, Ramokgwebana, Zwenshambe, Jackalas No. 1, Matsiloje 2 Northeast SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Chobe Kasane, Kazungula, Pandamatenga, Kavimba, Kachikau, Mabele, Lesoma, Parakarungu, Satau 3 Chobe SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
North-West / Ngamiland -northern areas Shakawe, Gumare; other northern locations in the locality list include Sepopa, Seronga, Etsha and Nokaneng 3 Okavango SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
North-West / Ngamiland - other areas Maun, Sehithwa, Tsau, Toteng, Shorobe, Sankuyo, Khwai, Gudigwa, Beetsha, Mohembo, Nxamasere 2 or 3 Okavango / north-west transition SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Kgatleng Mochudi, Bokaa, Pilane, Rasesa, Artesia, Oodi, Modipane, Morwa, Mmathubudukwane, Sikwane, Malolwane, Oliphant’s Drift 3 South-eastern region SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Kweneng Molepolole, Mogoditshane, Thamaga, Gabane, Mmopane, Metsimotlhabe, Letlhakeng, Lentsweletau, Takatokwane, Kumakwane, Kopong, Gaphatshwa, Mankgodi, Gamodubu, Boatlaname, Lephephe, Dutlwe 1, 2 & 3 West-to-east rainfall transition Zone 1: SC 419, SC 506. Zones 2 & 3: SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608¹ Zones 2 & 3: SC 701, SC 719 Zone 1: Soya: Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables Zones 2 & 3: Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
South-East Ramotswa, Tlokweng, Otse, Boatle, Mogobane, Taung 3 Southeast SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Southern -explicitly named towns Kanye, Goodhope 3 Southern / south-eastern placement SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Southern - other listed locations Moshupa, Mabutsane, Jwaneng area, Ramatlabama, Pitsane, Metlojane, Digawana, Molapowabojang, Ranaka, Lotlhakane, Manyana, Mosh aneng, Sekoma 1, 2 & 3 South-central rainfall transition Zone 1: SC 419, SC 506. Zones 2 & 3: SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 Zones 2 & 3: SC 701, SC 719 Zone 1: Soya: Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables Zones 2 & 3: Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Gaborone - City Gaborone 3 South-eastern region SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Francistown - City Francistown 3 North-eastern region SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Lobatse - Town Lobatse 3, South-eastern region SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Selebi-Phikwe - Town Selebi-Phikwe 3 Eastern region SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Orapa - Town Orapa 2 Central semi-arid region SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Jwaneng - Town Jwaneng 1 South-western arid region SC 419, SC 506 N/A Soya: Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables
Sowa - Town Sowa / Sowa Town 2 Central / north-eastern semi-arid region SC 419, SC 555, SC 506, SC 608 SC 701, SC 719 Soya: SC Spike, Safari; beans: SC Bounty; sorghum: SC XH 102; vegetables

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