In Mozambique, the July-October monitoring period is the dry season and covers mostly land preparation. During this period, maize sowing started in southern Mozambique, followed by rice in late October. Except for rainfall (RAIN +15%), decreases in the remaining agroclimatic indicators were observed (TEMP -0.4ºC and RADPAR -7%). Estimated biomass production also decreased by about 4%. With few crops growing in the field, the NDVI development graph was well below the average of the past five years, and the spatial NDVI patterns show that only 7.7% of the arable land, mostly along the Limpopo River (southern Mozambique) which is irrigated, presented favourable crop conditions. During this period, CALF was near average and a maximum VCIx of 0.81 was observed.

Regional analysis

According to the cropping system, topography and climate, CropWatch has subdivided Mozambique into five agro-ecological zones (AEZ): Buzi Basin, Northern High-altitude Areas, Low Zambezi River Basin, Northern Coast, and Southern Region.

With the exception of the Buzi basin, the country's sub-regions development graphs based on the NDVI indicates below-average crop conditions in all agro-ecological zones. All agro-ecological zones recorded increases in rainfall. Highest increases were recorded in the Buzi basin and High-altitude areas (about 19% and 31%), as compared to the 15YA. In the Buzi basin, Low Zambezi river basin and Southern region, the temperature decreased by about 0.7ºC, 0.5ºC, and 0.7ºC, respectively. The temperature in Northern High-altitude areas was near average, while a slight decrease of about 0.1ºC was recorded in the Northern coastal area. The increased rainfall will be beneficial for the upcoming sowing period. CALF was estimated at 90% (+2%). In general, prospects for the upcoming main growing season are favorable.

Figure 3.32. Mozambique's crop condition, April-July 2020

(a) Phenology of major crops

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

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

(f) National time-series rainfall profiles                                                         (g) National time-series temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI-Buzi basin (left),  and Northern high-altitude areas (right)

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI-Lower Zambezi River basin (left),  and Northern coast region (right)

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI-Southern region

Table 3.55. Mozambique agro-climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July-October 2020

Table 3.56. Mozambique agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, July-October 2020.