Inner Mongolia produces summer crops, such as maize, wheat and rice. Overall the crop conditions were slightly unfavorable. RAIN was above average (+5%), TEMP and RADPAR were below average (-0.2°C and -3% respectively), resulting in a below-average estimate for BIOMSS (-4%). The spatial and temporal distribution for these indicators was very uneven. Precipitation was insufficient in some region in West Liaoning, North Shaanxi, Central Ningxia and Central Inner Mongolia, which may have a negative impact on the rain-fed crops. Conditions were mainly unfavorable in the early part of the growing season, as illustrated in the crop development graph from May to June. 59% of the cropped areas displayed consistently below-average NDVI especially in the precipitation deficit areas mentioned above from April to June. This is confirmed by VCIx values being lower than 0.5 in the above listed areas, where the biomass accumulation potential (BIOMSS) was also well below average. These areas suffered from drought in May, as indicated by the temporal development of the VHIm categories when compared with 5YA. About 40% of the areas experienced varying degrees of drought, but conditions improved in June. Subsequently, crop conditions improved to close to average in July.

Overall, Inner Mongolia saw the fraction of cropped arable land (CALF) increased by 1% to reach 95%; VCIx was on average (0.87). Crop conditions were slightly unfavorable before June but recovered to average in July. The final outcome of the season will depend on weather conditions in August and September.

Figure 4.12 Crop condition China Inner Mongolia region, April-July 2020

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

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

(d) Maximum VCI (e) Biomass departure

(f) Proportion of VHIm categories compared with 5YA