The reporting period covers the wintering period of winter crops. According to the regional NDVI profile, crop conditions were generally below the 5-year average, but above the average in October and mid-December 2019.

On average, rainfall was above the fifteen-year average (Rain +25%),  whereas radiation was below average (RADPAR -7%). Temperature was close to average as well (TEMP + 0.6 °C). The resulting BIOMSS was 12% below average mainly due to the less radiation. 

According to the NDVI departure clustering map and the profiles, values were fluctuating throughout the monitoring period. In general, they were below average.  Average NDVI throughout the monitoring period was observed in Yunnan, in spite of both precipitation and radiation being significantly above average (See Annex A.11). The cropped arable land fraction for the whole region remained at the same level as in the previous five years. The maximum VCI reached 0.97 at the peak of the growing season. The value was comparable with those of the previous five years. The cropped arable land fraction remained at the same level as the previous five years'.

Overall, the mixture of agroclimatic and agronomic indicators show generally average crop condition.

Figure 4.12 Crop condition Southwest China region, October 2019 - January 2020

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI     (c) NDVI profiles

(d) Maximum VCI

(e) Biomass departure

(f) Time series rainfall pofile

(g) Time series temperature profile