This monitoring period covers the planting and growth of Aman rice and the harvest of Aus rice. Rainfall was above average by 5%. The average temperature was a bit higher (+0.5℃) and the photosynthetically active radiation was 1055 MJ/m2 (3% lower than average). BIOMSS was below average by 2%. The national NDVI development curve shows that crop conditions across the country were significantly lower than the 5-year average from July to September, due to floods, and reached average levels by October. The spatial NDVI pattern shows that 33.1% of the crops were above the 5-year average throughout the season, mainly dispersed in Coastal region and Hills. 22.3% of the crops were below average during the whole monitoring period. The best Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) ranged from 0.8 to 1 and the national VCIx value was 0.91, with most areas higher than 0.8. However, the flood in July and August caused wide-spread crop damage and made it difficult to harvest Aus rice, which also delayed the planting of the Aman rice. According to the last report, the NDVI curve was close to average from April to May and then rapidly dropped to below average in June, and returned to normal levels by the end of October, which was consistent with the flood events. They caused local crop damage and a general delay of the Aman rice production. The fact that the crops recovered to close to normal crop conditions in October indicates that  production prospects are only slightly below average. 

Bangladesh can be divided into four Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ): Coastal region, the Gangetic plain, the Hills, and the Sylhet basin.

In the Coastal region, both RAIN and TEMP were above average (+15% and +0.6℃, respectively). BIOMSS and RADPAR were below average (-1% and -2%). The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were significantly lower than the 5-year average from July to September, and then reached average levels. CALF was at 92% and VCIx at 0.95 and BIOMSS was -1%. These parameters indicate average conditions.

The Gangetic plains received the largest precipitation amount (+18% above average). Temperature was above average (+0.5 °C) and RADPAR was 3% below. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were significantly lower than the 5-year average during the whole monitoring period, and BIOMSS decreased by 3%. CALF (95%) and VCIx at 0.92 indicate unsatisfactory prospects.

In the Hills, rainfall was 2% below the average, TEMP was above average (+0.5°C) but with poor sunshine (RADPAR -5%). The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were close to average in August and October, but slightly below average in the other months. BIOMSS was below average (-3%), CALF was 98% and VCIx was 0.99, indicating satisfactory crop conditions.

In the Sylhet Basin, rainfall was close to average. TEMP was 0.6°C above the average and RADPAR was 4% below. The NDVI development was similar to the Coastal region, starting below average and exceeding the average in October. The BIOMSS potential of 699 gDM/m² (the lowest for all regions) was also 4% below the 5YA, with low CALF at 86% and VCIx of 0.87. Widespread flooding in August caused unfavorable crop conditions.

Figure 3.9 Bangladesh's crop condition, July-October 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 (Coastal Region (left) and Gangetic Region (right))

(l) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Hill Region (left) and Sylhet Basin (right))

Table 3.9 Bangladesh's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July-October 2020

Table 3.10 Bangladesh's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, July-October 2020