This monitoring period covers the grain filling period and harvest of winter wheat, as well as the planting and early establishment of the rice crop. According to the NDVI based crop condition development graph, the crop conditions in Iran during this whole monitoring period were better than the 5-year average, even better than 5-year maximum in late April. The cumulative rainfall was 117 mm, which was 33% above average. The average temperature was 21.0℃ (0.3 ℃ below average), whereas the photosynthetically active radiation was 1571 MJ/m2 (down 4%). The potential biomass was 10% higher than the 15-year average. The national maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx) was 0.94, while the cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was 34% higher than the average of the past 5-years. 

The NDVI spatial patterns show that from April to July, crop conditions in 58.5% of the cropped area were average or above the 5-year average (marked in light green, dark green, and orange). 31.5% of the cropped areas (marked in red) experienced slightly below-average crop conditions until the end of the monitoring period, mainly located in west and northwest parts of Iran, including provinces of Khuzestan, Ilam, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Kordestan, and East Azarbaijan. 10% of the cultivated area suffered from below-average crop conditions until the end of the monitoring period, mainly located in northern and northwestern parts of Iran, including the provinces of West Azarbaijan, East Azarbaijan, Ardebil, Gilan, and Mazandaran. The abundant rainfall in April ensured favorable conditions for rice and wheat, as confirmed by the NDVI profiles. The spatial pattern of maximum Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) was in accord with the spatial distribution of the NDVI profiles.

When it comes to the proportion of NDVI anomaly categories compared with 5-year average, the first four 16-day phases all had more than 20% of the cropped area with slightly below or below average crop conditions. During the 2nd and 6th phase, more than 10% of the cultivated area experienced slightly above or above average crop condition. As for the proportion of VHIn categories compared with 5-year average, more than 90% of the cropped area had no drought at all during the first six weekly phases, then the ratio of cropped area suffering from moderate to severe drought rose gradually to more than 10% during the remaining weekly phases.

In general, crop growth conditions were favorable. All agronomic indicator values were positive.

Regional Analysis 

Based on farming system, climate, and topographic conditions, Iran can be subdivided into three regions, two of which are the main growing areas for crop production, namely the semi-arid to the subtropical hilly region in the west and the north and the coastal lowland in the arid red sea plain area. 

In the Western and northern semi-arid subtropical hilly areas, the cumulative precipitation during the monitoring period was 135 mm, 31% higher than average, while the temperature was 19.1℃ (-0.4℃) and photosynthetically active radiation (-4%) were both below the 15YA. The potential biomass was 5% higher than average. Crop conditions were better than the 5-year average, even better than the 5-year maximum in late April. The proportion of cultivated land was 44%, which is 30% higher than the 5YA. The average VCIx for this region was 0.94, indicating favorable crop conditions. 

In the Coastal lowland and plain areas of the arid Red Sea, the temperature was 0.1℃ above average, while the accumulated precipitation was 6% below average and the photosynthetically active radiation (-2%) was also below average. The potential biomass was 33% higher than the 15-year average. Crop conditions were generally better than the 5-year average. During the monitoring period, CALF was 95% higher than the average of the last 5-years, and the VCIx was 0.93, also indicating a good crop prospect. 

Figure 3.21. Iran’s crop condition, April ‐ July 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

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Semi‐arid to sub‐tropical hills of the west and north region)

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Arid Red Sea coastal low hills and plains region)

(j) Proportion of NDVI anomaly categories compared with 5YA

(k) Proportion of VHIn categories compared with 5YA

Table 3.33. Iran’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April - July 2020

Table 3.34. Iran’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure, April - July 2020