During the reporting period, the growing and harvesting of Aman rice and the sowing of irrigated dry season Boro rice and wheat were the main farming activities. The country recorded 306 mm of rainfall, which is above the average by 17%.  Most rainfall occurred between October and the beginning of November. Both temperature and RADPAR were below average by 0.2°C and 5% respectively. The overall biomass accumulation potential (BIOMSS) exceeded the fifty-year average by 26%, while the crop arable land fraction (CALF) was 2% above average. Increasing BIOMSS and CALF can be attributed to good rainfalls. The national NDVI profile was above the recent 5-year average in October until the first of November, then it dropped below the average until the end of December. Later in January, it rose above the average. The NDVI spatial pattern shows that 4.6% of the cultivated area was above the 5YA, 52.1% was below the 5YA, and 43.3% was above the average except for late December and January. In the Sylhet basin, the spatial NDVI profile during October exceeded not only the 5YA but also the 5YM. During the rest of the season, it was average except for late December. Over other zones, the spatial NDVI profile was above the average in October and then dropped to the average during November and December. Later in the season, it surpassed the average. Over the whole country, the VCIx mostly ranged from 0.8 to 1. All CropWatch indicators, as well as the VCIx map, indicate favorable crop conditions nationwide.

Regional analysis

Bangladesh includes four Agro-ecological zones (AEZ) referred to hereafter as Coastal region, Gangetic plain, the Hills and the Sylhet basin. 

The coastal region recorded 299 mm of rain  (+14%). Average temperature was  21.9°C (+0.1°C). RADPAR was 2% below the average. BIOMASS and CALF exceeded the 15YA (5YA) by 33% and 2% respectively, while the VCIx at 1.05 indicates good crop conditions. The Gangetic plain received 284 mm of rainfall (+34%). Both temperature and RADPAR were below the averages, by 0.4°C and 6% respectively, while BIOMSS and calf were above the average by 30% and 2% respectively. The VCIx of 1.00 indicates favorable crop conditions. In the Hills, the precipitation and temperature were below average by 14% and 0.1°C respectively, while RADPAR was just 0.2% above the average. The BIOMASS was 15% above the 15YA. The CALF did not change relative to the 5YA, and VCIx was as high as 1.05, which indicates good crop conditions. The Sylhet basin recorded 331 mm of rainfall, 22% above average. Temperature and RADPAR were below the average by 0.1°C and 6% respectively, while BIOMSS and CALF were above the average by 24% and 3% respectively. The VCIx was 0.98 indicating suitable crop conditions.

Figure 3.9. Bangladesh’s crop condition, October 2019 - January 2020

                             (a). Phenology of major crops

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

(d) Rainfall Index                                                            (e) Temperature Index

(f) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA     (g) NDVI profiles

(k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Coastal Region (left) and Gangetic Region (right))

(l) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Hill Region (left) and Sylhet Basin (right))

Table 3.13. Bangladesh’s agroclimatic indicators by sub‐national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2019 - January 2020

Table 3.14.Bangladesh’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departures, October 2019 - January 2020