Most field crops have not been planted yet in Inner Mongolia due to the seasonally low temperature. Sowing started only from late April, along with gradually increasing temperatures. Considering agroclimatic indicators in the first four months of this year, rain and temperature indices were above average (RAIN +25 %, TEMP +1.6°C), and the RADPAR accumulation was just average, resulting in a potential biomass increase of 21%. Though the average of VCIx was 0.93 for the whole areas, it is of limited agronomic significance at this time of the year. Temperature was significantly higher than the historical average, which may cause early sowing. Stored soil moisture is abundant and will benefit the germination of crops and grazing lands alike. Current prospects for the region are favorable.

Figure 4.8. Crop condition China Inner Mongolia, January - April 2019

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(b) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                                (c) NDVI profiles

(d) Maximum VCI

(e) Potential Biomass