The current reporting period covers the early stages of spring wheat (which was planted in March) as well as the late dormancy and re-growth of winter wheat.

Precipitation reached 173mm, 1.9% lower than the average. Both temperature and sunshine were below average (TEMP 5.0°C, down 1.1°C;  RADPAR: 919MJ/m², down 6%). The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was only 19%, which nevertheless represents a significant rise (90%) above the 5YA. The distribution map of the best vegetation condition index (VCIx) shows that the VCIx was highest in most areas of the north and the value reached 0.8. The national NDVI development profile for Afghanistan presents below average values before march but later improved. The spatial NDVI patterns compared to the five-year average indicate that NDVI was above average in 11.4% of arable land mainly in the north and west of Badghis and below average values in the other regions. NDVI was near average in 36.4% of the cultivated land areas, especially in Kandahar. Thirty-eight percent of the areas (including Daikondi, Oruzgan and neigboring areas) were below average.

Regional analysis

CropWatch subdivides Afghanistan into four zones based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topography. They are described below as Dry region, Central region with sparse vegetation, Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region, and Mixed dry farming and grazing region.

In the Central region with sparse vegetation, the following indicator values were observed: Rain 102 mm, 28% down below average; TEMP 1.2 ℃, -1.2 ℃; RADPAR 960 MJ/m2, -5%; CALF 6%, +21% and VCIx: 0.75.

Precipitation of the Dry region was close to average at 139 mm. Temperature was the highest among the four AEZs. The CALF was seasonably low and VCIx was just 0.44.

The Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region consists mainly of farmland and irrigated areas and the effects of the drought  mentioned in previous reports have been mitigated by normal rainfall amounts of 214mm. CALF reached 30%, which is the highest in the four regions and a significant increase over previous seasons (+79%). Overall, the VCIx in this area was very high, reaching 0.99.

Mixed dry farming and grazing region recorded 178 mm of RAIN, 7% above average. The temperature was 5.2°C, 1.8℃ below average. The RADPAR was 949MJ/m, closed to the average. The CALF (21%) was 159% higher than the average and VCIx at 0.83 indicates good production prospects.

Figure 3.5. Afghanistan’s crop condition, January -April 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 (Central region with sparse vegetation (left) and Dry region(right))

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region (left) and Mixed dry farming and grazing region (right))

Table 3.1. Afghanistan’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, January - April 2019

Table 3.2. Afghanistan’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA/5YA, January - April 2019