Kazakhstan cultivates very few winter crops and almost no wheat was in the field during the current monitoring period. RAIN and RADPAR were above average (+2% and +1%), while TEMP and BIOMSS were below average (-0.4°C and -3%) compared to their respective reference period.

Regional analysis

The following regional analysis provides additional detail  for three major agro-ecological regions of Kazakhstan: the Northern region, the Eastern plateau and southeastern region and the South region.

In the Northern region, NDVI was below the five-year average from November to late December and close to the average in other months. RAIN and TEMP were below average (-1% and -0.5°C), but RADPAR was above (+4%). The agro-climatic indicators also resulted in a decrease of the BIOMSS index by 4%.

Environmental conditions in the Eastern plateau and southeastern region were generally below the five-year average and close to the average only in January. RAIN was above average (3%), and TEMP and RADPAR were below (-0.1°C and -2%, respectively). BIOMSS fell 5%.

The South region experienced above average NDVI in early December and late January and below the five-year average in other months. RAIN was 13% above average, but TEMP and RADPAR were below (-0.2°C and -5%). The agro-climatic indicators also resulted in an increase of the BIOMSS index by 13%, which creates favorable conditions for the forthcoming spring crops.

 Figure 3.18. Kazakhstan crop condition, October 2018 - January 2019

 (a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI    (c)Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                         (e) NDVI profiles

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Northern region (left) and Southeast region(right)

(g)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Southwest region(left) and Central non-agricultural region (right))

Table 3.41. Kazakhstan agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2018 - January 2019

Table 3.42. Kazakhstan, agronomic indicators by sub-national regions,current season's values and departure from 5YA, October 2018 - January 2019