This reporting period covers the end of harvest of dry season rice in April, sowing of maize in May and June, as well as the beginning of the planting period of the main wet season rice crop starting in June. The dry season rice suffered from El Niño, causing drought conditions in some parts of the country. El Niño, which was officially declared to be over in early August, continued to have a negative impact on rainfall during this monitoring period: Compared to the 15 year average, CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show a sharp drop in rainfall (RAIN -19%), warmer temperatures (Temp +0.2ºC) and higher radiation (RADPAR +7%).  The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was 89%, down 1% from the 5 year average, and the maximum VCI value for the whole country was at 0.85. 

Nationwide, the condition of crops is above the reference 5YA in 55% of croplands (mainly in the Mekong valley between Tonle-sap and Vietnam border and Northern plain and northeast of the country) where a VCIx above 0.8 confirms the favorable situation. The biomass production potential was up 11% above average, with normal CALF and a very favorable VCIx reached 0.95. 

Regional Analysis

Based on climate differences and topography four agro-ecological regions (AEZs) can be distinguished for Cambodia, starting with the Tonle Sap lake area where the seasonally inundated freshwater lake and especially temperature are influenced by the lake itself. The second and the third area, referred to as the "Mekong valley between Tonle-sap and Vietnam border" and "Northern plain and northeast" covers agriculturally important regions east of the Lake. In the last zone, the "South-western Hilly region" long coast at the Gulf of Thailand and with the mountain range small and large, monsoon plays a larger part than in the other regions where the Mekong supplies most water to farming. 

In the Tonle-sap region rainfall and sunshine were below average (RAIN -18%, RADPAR -2%) with higher then average temperature (TEMP, +0.4°C). With below CALF (85%, -4%), the BIOMSS significantly increased (+5%)  compared to 15year average. The NDVI development graph indicates crop condition values that are below the 5 years average, even after they increased in June. CropWatch expects below average production in the area.

The Mekong valley between Tonle-sap and Vietnam border, the main rice growing area in Cambodia was affected by low precipitation (RAIN, -12%) with above average RADPAR (+6%) and below average temperature (TEMP  -0.1°C). CALF was (3%) below the 5-years average and the biomass potential rose 7% compared to average. The condition of crops is fair with a maximum VCI of 0.87.

The Northern plain and northeast recorded a drop of rainfall below average by 22%, temperature was normal and radiation significantly exceeded average (RADPAR, +10%). CALF was normal compared to the 5-year average. Crop condition is also above average for the region, where the biomass potential displays an increase of 11% over average while the maximum VCI reached 0.89. The condition of crops is fair. 

The Southwest Hilly region had favorable VCIx (0.95) accompanied by increased BIOMSS (+8%) resulting from the increase in radiation (RADPAR +9%) and above average temperature (TEMP, +0.4°C). The 22% precipitation drop from 1101 mm (average) to 859 (current season) did not significantly affect crops as the recorded amount is still more than sufficient to sustain crop growth. The NDVI development graph displays values that are below the 5 years average but in April and June crop condition was average.

a.Crop Calendar

b. Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

c. Maximum VCI

d. Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Cambodia

e. X Time series rainfall pofile_Cambodia

f. Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Tonle-sap

g. Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Mekong valley between Tonle-sap and Vietnam border

h. Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Northern plain and northeast

i. Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Southwest Hilly region

Cambodia agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions,current season's values and departure from 15YA, April 2019 - July 2019