In this region, the first quarter of the year covers planting of maize and early rice, as well as the growing period of winter wheat. The season this year can generally becharacterized as somewhat below average. Between January and February, the crop condition was average. From March, it dropped below average, possibly due tothe heavy rain during that period, and reverted to average again from April.The maximum VCI of 0.66 further confirms this result, although the CALF kept astable level (4 percentage points above average), in line with the agroclimaticindicators (RAIN, +36  percent; TEMP,-0.3°C and RADPAR, -8  percent).

Compared to the recent five-yearaverage, parts of northern Chongqing and northwest Hunan both show varyingdegrees of below average condition in February and March, as illustrated by the spatial NDVI patterns and NDVI profiles. Compared to the recent average,rainfall increases of 47and 53 percent were recorded for Chongqing and Hunan,respectively, which will probably have a negative effect on the local crops.

Figure 4.14. Crop conditionSouthwest China region, January-April 2016

(a)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

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

(d) maximum VCI                                                                                              (e)  Biomass