This reporting period covers the humid summer and autumn season in Mongolia from July to October. Wheat, which is the main cereal crop, is harvested during September. The agroclimatic indicators for this 4-month period show a large increase in rainfall (RAIN, +67%). The average temperatures were cooler than the 15YA (TEMP -1.2°C) and solar radiation was also below average (RADPAR -8%). The decline in solar radiation combined with cooler temperatures caused a reduction in estimated biomass by 14% as compared to the 15YA. The recorded crop arable land fractions (CALF, 82%-100%) and maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx, 0.89-0.97) were favorable. The crop condition development graph indicates that the crop conditions were slightly better than the 5YA from July to September and near average in October. 

The maximum VCIx map shows that relatively favorable crop conditions (around 80%) were observed in all of the territories. Among all regions, Hangai Huvsgul had slightly less favorable conditions during these four months. The crop conditions, as assessed by the NDVI profile, were favorable in Mongolia. 

Regional analyses 

    Taking into consideration the climate, vegetation, altitude, soil, and farming systems, Mongolia is divided into five agro-ecological zones (AEZ). Three of them (Selenge-Onon Region, Central, and Eastern Steppe, and Hangai Khuvsgul Region) are cultivated as cropland, and two (Altai and Gobi Desert) are non-agriculture land. For all the subregions, crop intensity is 100%, same as last year.

    TEMP and RADPAR in the Hangai Khuvsgul region decreased by 1.1°C and 7% respectively, while RAIN was 65% above average. Accordingly, BIOMASS declined by 13% from the fifteen-year average. VCIx (0.90) was just average, and CALF was elevated by 1%. According to unfavorable conditions of agroclimatic indicators, the NDVI profile was mostly below the 5YA excluding August, where the NDVI profile was near average. Overall, crop conditions were negatively impacted by the cool temperatures. 

    In the Selene-Onon region, RAIN was 71% above average, but temperature and radiation were significantly below average (TEMP -1.2°C; RADPAR -8%). The estimated BIOMSS decreased by 16%, and the cropped arable land fraction was up by 2%. The maximum VCIx for this region was 0.97. The crop condition development graph indicates that the crop conditions were above the 5YA during the season. In conclusion, the crop conditions in the Selene-Onon region were favorable.  

    For the period from July to September, crop conditions were slightly above the five-year average in theCentral and Eastern Steppe region. This region also received above-average rainfall (RAIN, +53%). Temperature and radiation  were below average (TEMP -1.0°C; RADPAR -9%). CALF increased by 3%, and regional VCIx was 0.89. The estimated BIOMSS decreased by 12%. The Central and Eastern Steppe region has only a small fraction of cropland. Most of the arable land experienced favorable conditions during this reporting time.

Figure 3.31 Mongolia’s crop condition, July - October 2020

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI                 (c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                             (e) NDVI profiles

(f) Rainfall profiles                                       (g) Temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Hangai Khuvsgul Region (left) and Selenge-Onon Region (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Central and Eastern Steppe)

(j) Crop intensity

Table 3.53 Mongolia’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July - October 2020

Table 3.54 Mongolia’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, July - October 2020