Overall crop condition was favorable in South and South-east Asia over the reporting period, as indicated by both above-average BIOMSS (+6%) and a relatively high value for VCIx (0.87). This derives directly from average agroclimatic conditions (RAIN -3%, TEMP 0.0°C, RADPAR +1%, all compared to their respective averages).

62.7% of cultivated areas experienced average rainfall throughout the monitoring period; they are mainly located in the western part of the MPZ, covering most regions of India. In contrast, rainfall fluctuated largely over time in other parts of the MPZ. Temperatures profiles were generally above average in the north-west, central and eastern parts of the MPZ, including southern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (59.3% of the arable areas). Remaining areas (making up 40.7% of crop land) showed more significant variations in temperature, with the values consistently below average especially in northern India and Nepal.

Most of the MPZ was actually cropped but uncropped areas occurred in southern and central India, Myanmar and Thailand. According to the map of VCIx patterns, favorable crop condition, with the values greater than 0.8, developed in the north-western and eastern parts of the MPZ, including northern India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Vietnam; moderate values between 0.5 and 0.8 were common in central and southern India, Myanmar and Thailand. The poorest crops (VCIx below 0.5) appeared in southern and western India. Consistent with the pattern of VCIx, above-average BIOMSS was located in the north-western and eastern parts of the MPZ, especially northern India, southern Myanmar, Vietnam and southern Thailand. On the contrary, below-average BIOMSS occurred in central and southern India, northern Thailand and Sri Lanka, probably due to drought. This is confirmed by the spatial patterns of VHIn, as the lowest values (below 15) also occurred in southern India, northern Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos. 

Figure 2.4. South and South-east Asia MPZ: Agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, January–April 2019.

a. Spatial distribution of rainfall profiles.  b. Profiles of rainfall departure from average (mm)

c. Spatial distribution of temperature profiles.    d. Profiles of temperature departure from average (mm).

e. Maximum VCI

f. Cropped arable land

g. Biomass accumulation potential departure

h. VHI minimum