Afghanistan 

Wheat, maize and rice are the main cereals that are grown in Afghanistan. The country produces spring and winter wheat. The sowing of spring wheat starts in March and April and the harvest is in August and September. Winter wheat is sown in October and November and harvested in May and June. Maize sowing starts in May and harvest is in August. Likewise, rice sowing starts in May/June and harvest is in October/November.

During this reporting period, the precipitation in Afghanistan was higher than the 15YA and lower than in 2019. Rainfall gradually declined from April to June. Temperature was lower than average in early April and mid-May 2020. Biomass was estimated to be 10 to 14% below the 15YA. According to crop condition development graphs based on NDVI, the national crop conditions were above average and close to the 5-year maximum.

The cropped arable land was mainly in Badghis, Faryab, Balkh, Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan, and Nuristan. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) increased by 93% over the 5YA. According to the maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx) map, the vegetation in the south was better than in the north. As to the spatial distribution of NDVI profiles, crop conditions in most of the area (about 85.8% of cropped area) were above average or close to average from April to July. The most favorable conditions (28.4%) were identified mainly in the north of Badghis, Faryab, Saripul, and Samangan provinces. For 14.2%, the conditions were below average. This was mainly in the northern part of Baghlan.

In general, the conditions for wheat and maize are favorable.

Regional analysis

CropWatch subdivides Afghanistan into four zones based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topography. They are described below as Dry region, Central region with sparse vegetation, Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region, and Mixed dry farming and grazing region.

The RAIN in the Central region with sparse vegetation was 159 mm (+9%). The TEMP was 23.6°C (-0.8°C), and the RADPAR was 1571 MJ/m²(-4%). According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, the NDVI was higher than the average level and almost equal to the 5-year maximum. Potential biomass increased by 13%, CALF had increased substantially (+74%) and VCIx was 1.11.

The Mixed dry farming and grazing region recorded 90 mm of RAIN (+43%), TEMP was lower than average at 20.1°C (-0.8°C), and the RADPAR was 1601 MJ/m² (-3%). According to the NDVI-based development graph, crop conditions were better than the five-year average. CALF in this region increased by 38% and VCIx reached 0.93.

In the Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region, the following indicator values were observed: RAIN 415 mm (+45%); TEMP 16.3°C (-1.0°C); RADPAR 1494 MJ/m² (-5%). Potential biomass was 453 g DM/m2 (+5%) and CALF was 31% above the average. According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, NDVI was higher than the average level and VCIx reached 0.84.

The Dry region recorded 83 mm of RAIN (+15%). TEMP was 21.9°C (-0.6°C) and the RADPAR was 1626 MJ/m² (-2%). The CALF was 105% higher than the 5YA. VCIx was 1.0 and the potential biomass increased by 21%. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was higher than maximum level recorded over the past 5 years.

Figure 3.1. Crop condition in Afghanistan, April-July 2020

a) Phenology of major crops

b) Time Series Temperature Profile

c) Time series rainfall profile

d) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI        

e) Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

f) Maximum VCI

g) Potential biomass departure from 5YA

h) Time series PAR profile  

ia) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Central region with sparse vegetation)

ib) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Dry region)

ic) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Mixed dry   farming and irrigated cultivation region)

id) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Mixed dry farming and grazing region)

Table 3.1. Afghanistan’s agroclimatic indicators bysub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April to July 2020

Table 3.2. Afghanistan’s agronomic indicators bysub-national regions, current season's values and departure, April to July 2020