Due to seasonably cold weather, no crops were grown in Mongolia during the monitoring period. The national average VCIx was 0.91. Among the CropWatch agroclimatic indicators, RAIN was below average (-27%) and TEMP and RADPAR were above  (+2.2°C and +2%). The combination of factors resulted in low BIOMSS (18% below average). As shown by the NDVI development graph, the vegetation condition was above average from January to late March and below average in April. However, NDVI  was lower than 0.2, which is indicates essentially bare soil or dry vegetation, or snow. The national NDVI development graph and the spatial NDVI profiles show that 84.5% of arable lands were above average from February to late March, mostly in Khentii, eastern parts of Dornod, Selenge and patches in Bulgan and Hovsgol provinces. The observation is clearly related to high temperature.

Regional analysis

In the Khangai Khuvsgul region, NDVI was above the five‐year average from January to March and close to the average in April. RAIN was below average (-7%), while TEMP and RADPAR were above average (+1.4°C and +2%). The BIOMSS index decreased by 11% compared to the fifteen‐year average. The maximum VCI index was 1.

Vegetation condition was above the five years average from January to March and below the five years average in April in the Selenge‐Onon region. Accumulated rainfall was well below average (RAIN -46%). TEMP and RADPAR were above average (+2.5°C and +3%). The BIOMSS index decreased by 29% compared to fifteen years average. The maximum VCI index was 0.89.

According to the NDVI development graph, vegetation condition in the Central and Eastern Steppe Region was above the five year maximum. RAIN and TEMP were above average (+19% and +3.5°C), while BIOMSS index increased by 15% compared fifteen years average and RADPAR was above five years average (+1%) in this region. The maximum VCI index was 0.80. Unseasonably favourable conditions have benefited grasslands but much water was lost to increased evaporation due to unusually warm weather. 

                                    (a). Phenology of major crops 

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

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to5YA                        (e)NDVI profiles

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI Hangai Khuvsgul Region (left), and Selenge‐Onon Region (right)) 

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI Central and Eastern Steppe Region (left), and Altai Region (right)) 

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Gobi Desert Region) 

Table 3.76. Mongolia’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, January 2019 – April 2019

 Table 3.77. Mongolia’sagronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values anddeparture from 15Y/5YA, January 2019 – April 2019